Ulukhaktok Cultural Calendar
Date
2024
Authors
Farnole, Patrick
Pogotak, Allen
Memogana, Koral
Stoller, Mark
Steiner, Nadja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Olokhaktomiut Hunters & Trappers Committee
Abstract
In Inuinnaqtun, the word for calendar ("tatqiqhiun") is derived from moon ("tatqiq"). As often heard from community elders, every month the moon has something to do with what happens to the land and the animals ("tatqiqhiut tamaan tatqiq aktuumayuq qanuriliurutaitigut nunaplu angutillu"). In Ulukhaktok, bumble bees come together with bearded seals' pups during May's full moon, for example. For generations of Ulukhaktokmiut, land, weather, moon and animals have been their calendar, compass, teachers and guides. Seasonal drivers such as ice, snow, winds or sunlight conditions have set the beat for species' arrivals and local harvesting practices.
In response to the many and rapid changes that have affected the community for decades, from socio-cultural pressure (including colonization) to climate pressure and seasonal shifts, the Ulukhaktok Cultural Calendar was co-designed by community knowledge holders and southern scientists in order to provide a reference: a cultural, climatic, ecosystemic, linguistic and - more generally - an epistemic reference, dedicated to intergenerational transmission within the community as well as intercultural translation, especially needed to support meaningful collaborations with climate scientists.
Description
Disclaimer & Acknowledgements: The Ulukhaktok Cultural Calendar is part of a collaborative research project between the Olokhaktomiut Hunters & Trappers Committee (OHTC), the University of Victoria and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The materials were imagined and authored by Patrick Farnole, Allen Pogotak, Koral Memogana, Nadja Steiner and Mark Stoller. The authors acknowledge, with respect, the history and traditions of the people of Ulukhaktok at the core of the cultural calendar. Each contribution remains owned by their author, who generously agreed to share their knowledge. Texts: David Kuptana, Helen Kitekudlak, Ross Klengenberg, Joseph Kitekudlak, Agnes Kuptana, Robert Kuptana, Kate Inuktalik, Allen Joss, Mary Kudlak, Annie Goose, Mollie Oliktoak, Jack Akhiatak, Danny Taptuna, John Alikamik, Helena Ekootak, Tony Alanak, Elliot Malgokak, Jackie Kataoyak, Jacob Klengenberg, Travis Kuptana, Gayle Elias, Laverna Klengenberg. Drawings were used with the express consent of the artists who continue to own the copyright for their pieces: Mary K. Okheena, Ruqaiyah Baqir, Phylicia Kagyut, Lisa Alikamik, Susie Malgokak, Patrick Farnole. Translations: Helen Kitekudlak. Support: Pat Klengenberg, Janine Harvey, Mark Ekootak, Joshua Oliktoak, Celine Joss, Dana Illasiak, Lisa Alikamik, Nicolas Kopot, Patricia Johnston, Derek Ogina, Byron Okheena, Helen Drost, Betty & Alban Rideau-Collignon, Adam Monahan, Laura Eerkes-Medrano and Rebecca Johnson, Ulukhaktok Elder Committee, OHTC Board, Helen Kalvak School, Ulukhaktok Community Corporation, Hamlet, Inuvialuit Joint Secretariat, Inuvialuit Game Council. The calendar may only be used as a whole. Contact: first author and OHTC.
Keywords
Ulukhaktok, Inuinnaqtun, Inuit Qauyimayait, Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Subsistence harvest, Arctic seasons, Arctic climate
Citation
Farnole, P., Pogotak, A., Memogana, K., Stoller, M., Steiner, N. (2024). Ulukhaktok Cultural Calendar. Olokhaktomiut Hunters & Trappers Committee.