Expressions of Elation, 2021

Sealskin, melton, embroidery threads, beads, printed on dibond

Alex Decoteau Park, 10230 105 Street

Aarigaa, a common expression of Inuvialuit of the Western Arctic, NWT depicting amazement, excitement, joy, appreciation, beauty, happiness and sheer gratitude; a term of endearment. Inuvialuit write their three dialects in Qaniujaaqpait; roman alphabet, the writing system used by Inuit/Inuvialuit from Alaska to mid Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.

From the west Arctic of the NWT to the eastern Arctic of Nunavut, Alianait (shown in syllabics) is the equivalent of aarigaa to Inuit whose dialect is Inuktitut. Inuktitut is most commonly written in syllabics. However, with the bilingual education policy, students learn both writing systems: Qaliujaaqpait (Inuktitut syllabics) and Qaniujaaqpait (roman alphabet).

Using the mediums common to these speakers, this banner is created reflecting the artistry and materials of importance to the respective cultures/traditions. On a background of sealskin, the northern lights dance bringing joy and colour during the long dark days of winter!

Aarigaa, Inuvialuit Ualinirmiut, Nunattiami uqauhiat atuqtauvaktuq agliguhungliraangat, quviahuliraangat, quyaligaangat, piniruhuliqpiaraangat, aliattakpairaangat tatatkaangat quyahungnirmik; uqauhiq piqpaguhuut. Pingahut uqauhitik titigaqpagait Qaniujaqpaititut; imaatut titigauhiqtut Inuit Inuvialuillu Alaskamit Qitirmiunut, Nunavunmi.

Ualinianit Nunattiam kivataanut Ukiuqtaqtumi Nunavunmi, Alianait (titigaqhimajuq Qaliujapaititut) aajjikiivjaktumi tukilik aarigaatut Inungnut Inuktituuqtunut. Inuktitut titigaqtaulluaqpaktuq Qaliujaqpaititut. Qaliujaqpait Inuktitut. Qaniujaqpait imaatut titigauhiqtut.

Atuqhugit atuqtaulluakpaktut ukunanga uqauhilingnit, una mirhuqtauhimajuq takuhiuqhugit mirhuniit mirhurutauvaktullu amngit ikpigijauyut inmi ilitqurhirmingni/pitquhirmingni. Nattium amiani, akhaliat numiqput tunihivlutik quviahukngnirmik ivitaaniglu taaraaluuvaktilllugu ukiuraalungmi!