Tuesday, December 3, 2024 – Canada recognizes and apologizes for killing Inuit sled dogs

Native America Calling

Representatives from the Canadian government just traveled to northern Quebec to apologize to the Inuit people of Nunavik for the mass killing of sled dogs some six decades ago. The apology comes with $45 million in compensation. The actions are acknowledgement of the government’s callous regard for the wishes, much less the livelihoods, of the Inuit as it carried out the slaughter of more than 1,000 dogs. The money will go toward revitalizing sled dog culture through training and operational support. We’ll hear about what brought on the action and how Nunavik Inuit worked to secure accountability.

GUESTS

Jennifer Probert Erhart (Upper Tanana Athabascan), dog musher and tribal court support specialist in the tribal government and justice division at Tanana Chiefs Conference

Carl Erhart (Koyukon Athabascan), dog musher

Lucy Grey (Inuk), Makivvik Corporation coordinator for the dog slaughter file

Charlie Arngak (Inuk), deputy mayor of Kangiqsujuaq

MP Iqwinder Gaheer, Member of Parliament for Mississauga-Malton in Ontario, Canada

Break 1 Music: Ikitaa (song) PIQSIQ (artist)

Break 2 Music: Ts’ma’antut ‘Nüün (song) Saltwater Hank (artist) Siip’Nsk (album)