It has been almost a decade since the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) began recording the experiences of Elders from our region as they spoke about how their lives changed in the decades following 1950. Making the choice to speak about the past took courage and has helped to create a more inclusive history of our region. This history began with the breaking of a long silence, and triggered a process that continues today.

After listening to the stories of Elders, a pattern emerged which prompted QIA to create the Qikiqtani Truth Commission (QTC). What began as an inquiry into the loss of sled dogs quickly grew to include a range of issues experienced during this time. As people testified, the Commission recorded stories about housing, education, healthcare, relocations, and the relationship between Inuit and government.

QTC represents the first time an Aboriginal group in Canada has ever initiated and funded a truth commission. More importantly, the work of QTC represents the Inuit experience during this colonial period, as told by Inuit. Because of QTC, Inuit now have access to information which offers a deeper understanding of the historical motivations behind government decisions. Inuit also have access to a collection of reports, a database of supporting documents, and a video archive of all those who testified.

We know that many of you have been wondering what has been happening on QTC over the last few years. We want you to know this work has not stopped, and QTC directly and indirectly makes up a large part of our social policy efforts.

When the Commission concluded its work and presented its final report and recommendations to QIA in the fall of 2010, QIA began the next phase of this work. During this time, QIA board and staff spent time thinking, talking about, and planning how to act on the recommendations of the Commission. At the same time, work began on writing the complete set of QTC reports. Now, one of the priorities of QIA will be sharing the history revealed through the QTC.

The QTC implementation plan is a practical tool for QIA and helps us in two important ways. First, it is our guide on how to be successful in our efforts to fulfill the recommendations of the Commission. Second, the recommendations, combined with the implementation plan, provide a way to bring government, RCMP, and Inuit together so that we can work to achieve saimaqatigiiniq (peace between past opponents) and begin to heal.

The complete set of QTC reports is a large body of work – almost one thousand pages – and will be available in both Inuktitut and English. Historians have been helping us with researching and writing the 22 reports which accompany the QTC Final Report. This collection of reports weaves together QTC testimony and documents collected during the commission. These reports include histories of all 13 Qikiqtani communities and thematic reports on the issues that emerged as people testified. These reports will be available as two books, both in print and online.

QIA hopes that the findings and recommendations of QTC, and the information in the complete set of QTC reports, will empower Inuit once again. Acknowledgment of the undue hardships Inuit suffered because of government decisions is an important part of this process and one of the first recommendations we hope to address.

QIA is ready to share the work we have been doing on QTC over the past few years. A public launch of the QTC books and DVD is planned for October 9, during our AGM in Iqaluit, and will continue over the next few months with events in all Qikiqtani communities.

QIA knows that there is an expectation that QTC will bring financial compensation for injustices suffered in the past. During QTC, participants spoke of a need to direct efforts and resources toward improving services for Inuit, in honour of Elders who lived through difficult and sometimes tragic times. For this reason, QIA will continue to focus our efforts on the implementation of the QTC recommendations in a way that enhances Inuit self-reliance, esteem and quality of life. Beneficiaries may also access the historical information collected through the QTC in order to advance individual claims for redress and/or compensation.

QIA is proud to have been the steward of this important work, and we are deeply grateful to the people who have participated along the way. We recognize that there is still much work to do to fulfill the spirit of the Commission’s Final Report. We are committed to continuing this work in a way that respects the experiences of our Elders and with hope for a better future for our children. If you have any questions about the work of the Qikiqtani Truth Commission, please come and talk to us.