Research

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society is committed to the preservation of Inuit heritage in the Kitikmeot region. Our research program includes archaeology, oral history, traditional knowledge and Inuinaqtun/Inuktitut place names projects. Research capacity has been built by the society in a number of ways. Our library of reference materials continues to grow, and offers opportunities for students, local residents, visiting researchers and staff to research primary sources of information on Inuit culture and history. We have research capacity on staff who are qualified to undertake oral history, traditional knowledge and archival research projects. Archaeological expertise has been added through a partnership with Dr. Max Friesen of the University of Toronto. Learn more about our specific research projects below.

Funding for the Iqaluktuuq Project was provided by the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Government of Nunavut.

The Iqaluktuuq Project is a study of the cultural history of the Iqaluktuuq area near Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. In July of 2000, the Kitikmeot Heritage Society (KHS) began a collaborative oral history/archaeological research project with the University of Toronto. This project has been carried out annually since that time. The Iqaluktuuq Project combines the best of community-based research and a careful academic research approach to this important group of archaeological sites. Iqaluktuuq has been an important settlement area for people in the Arctic for centuries. Due to this time depth, the archaeological sites found there represent historic Inuit, Thule, Dorset, and paleo-eskimo cultures.

• Download new exhibit booklet: "Iqaluktuurmiutat: Life at Iqaluktuuq"
  (Written in Inuinnaqtun, English and French) - [PDF 3MB]
• Learn more about how Iqaluktuuq fit into the seasonal life of Mathew Ehaloak’s family in the 1940’s.

Funding for the Kitikmeot Atlas Project was provided by the Department of Culture, Language, Elders & Youth, Government of Nunavut.

The Kitikmeot Heritage Society has initiated the Kitikmeot Atlas Project to ensure that the Inuktitut and Inuinaqtun place names of the Kitikmeot Region are recorded for the benefit of future generations of Nunavummiut. The project involves working with Elders to: locate names on maps; spell the names correctly; record the meanings of names; and record any stories or songs associated with names. Several products will result from this recording effort and all of the products will emphasize the importance of transmitting the knowledge of traditional place names to future generations. Maps will be produced for use by hunters and other interested residents.

The Kitikmeot Atlas has been developed as an online mulitmedia place name atlas. Please visit the Atlas.

Currently the communities of Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven [add] and Kugaaruk are participating in the project. We hope to interest other Kitikmeot Communities in participating in the near future.

Funded provided by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The KHS women’s group proposes deliver cultural and educational programming that will provide women with an opportunity to improve their self-esteem and increase their participation in the decision making process within our organization and within the larger community. The Kitikmeot Heritage Society will use the skin preparation and sewing project to create a forum through which women can express themselves and the issues that they face.