Reflection: Where does my name come from?

The following information was taken from the Inuuqatigiit Curriculum which is the curriculum developed by the Department of Education in Nunavut.

Names are very important to Inuit. At birth, children are named after others who are important to the family. The name or names give you an immediate identity. Everyone relates to the child either through blood or through the name. Inuit believe a person’s spirit never dies; rather it is passed on through the name. Many children are still being named after Stephen Angulalik.

Inuit have certain values and beliefs around naming such as the following;

Values:	Beliefs
The significance of who you are named after is important to learn and respect.	A child will be sickly or cry constantly if there is a person who has passed on who wants the child to be named after him.
There are certain responsibilities you have because of your name.	One of the parents or an elder will dream about a person who has passed on as a sign that the child should have that person’s name.
Your name is to be honoured by yourself and others. The person whose name you have must be remembered.	When children are small, they will say things and behave in ways that are like the personality of the person they are named after. (Ex. If the person was a great drummer, the child will be too).
Your name identifies you and gives you security.	A person never really dies; their spirit is passed on to a child.

Discuss with your class the importance of naming to Inuit. Have your students write a journal reflection about the following:

Where does your name come from? Are you named after a person? If so, do you think you have any characteristics of that person? What role does your name have in your life? How does having that person’s name make you feel?

If and when you have children, what would you name them and why?

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