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The Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᑕᐱᕇᑦ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ) is an organization in Canada that represents over 40,000 Inuit. It was founded in 1971 as the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (or in English, Inuit Brotherhood). It grew out of the Indian and Eskimo Association that was formed in the 1960's.
The organization represents Inuit living in four regions of Canada: in Labrador, the Nunavik region of Northern Quebec, Nunavut, and the Inuvialuit region of the Northwest Territories. Its headquarters are in Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada. The status vis a vis the growing population of Inuit living outside the land claims regions remains unclear.
One aim of the organization is to preserve Inuit culture and their Inuktitut language. To this end the ITK publishes a cultural magazine named Inuktitut twice annually with content in English, French, Inuktitut syllabics, and the Inuvialuktun dialect that uses a Roman orthography.
The organization also represents the Inuit in matters with the Government of Canada, and advocates publicly on the population's behalf.
The ITK is governed by a board of directors and president. All Inuit over the age of 18 are eligible to vote in the board of directors elections. The current president of the organization is Jose Kusugak, who on 12 May 2006 announced that he was stepping down.
Other Aboriginal organizations:
- Pauktuutit, an organization representing Inuit women
- Assembly of First Nations
- Métis National Council
- Native Women's Association of Canada
External links
"Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami"