Mr. Speaker and Members, I would like to make a special recognition of the founding members of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada. It was 20 years ago this past August, in 1971, that the Inuit of the Inuvialuit Region, Kitikmeot, Keewatin, Baffin and Northern Quebec, got together for the very first time to establish an Inuit national organization. Prior to this time, the Inuit had never organized through association. It is through the founding of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada that the land claim process is happening, that constitutional talks, political development and many cultural and language programs have been promoted and implemented.
The founding members are as follows: Jacob Oweetaluktuk, Povungnituk, Nunavik; Lena Pedersen, Coppermine, Kitikmeot; Ed Berthe, Fort Churchill, Manitoba, now deceased; Ipeelee Kilabuk, Pangnirtung, Baffin; Tagak Curley, Coral Harbour, Keewatin; Joanasie Nuliuyuk, Ivujivik, Nunavik; Eliyah Menarik, Montreal, Quebec; Mike Panika, Coral Harbour, Keewatin; Raymond Ningeocheak, Coral Harbour, Keewatin; Willie Adams, Rankin Inlet, Keewatin; Noah Qumaq, Salluit, Nunavik; Silasie Cookie, Kuujjurrapik, Nunavik; Mary Cousins, Iqaluit, Baffin; Peter Komingook, Coppermine, Kitikmeot; Josiah Kadlutsiak, Igloolik, Baffin; Meeka Kilabuk, Pangnirtung, Baffin; Rosemary Nuttanaatiaq, Cambridge Bay, Kitikmeot; Simonie Alainga, Iqaluit, Baffin; Joanasie Salomonie, Cape Dorset, Baffin; Sarah Seeloo, Baker Lake, Keewatin; Wallace Goose, Holman Island, Kitikmeot, now deceased; Hugh Ungagai, Baker Lake, Keewatin, now deceased; Sally Martin, Baker Lake, Keewatin; and Hon. Jean Chretien, Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs at the time. The first elected board of directors were Lena Pedersen, Tagak Curley, Mike Panika, Raymond Ningeocheak, Noah Qumaq, Josiah Kadlutsiak, Meeka Kilabuk and Wallace Goose. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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