To access the interactive cultural timeline (IN)

This section provides a timeline of Inuit cultural and literary facts from Nunavik, Nunatsiavut, Greenland and Nunavut (dates of birth and death of authors, dates of publication of books, etc.). You can choose to see only the dates of one of the territories.

Birth of storyteller, hunter and Inuit elder Akuliaq in the Sanikiluaq area (Nunavut) around 1890.

Birth of storyteller Joanasie Qinnuarjuak in the area of today’s Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1895.

Birth of hunter, artist, and storyteller Davidialuk Alaasuaq in the Nunavgirnarak winter camp (Nunavik) in 1910.

Birth of the sculptor, illustrator and storyteller Charlie Sivuarapik in Nunavik in 1911.

Birth of storyteller, elder and anthropologists’ informant Sachariasie Tukkiapik in Kangirsuk (Nunavik) in 1911.

Birth of carver, hunter and storyteller born Johnny Inukpuk Kuujjuarapik (Nunavik) in 1911.

Birth of historian, linguist, writer and politician Taamusi Qumaq in Niqsiturlik (Nunavik) in 1914.

« From what my parents told me, I was born in January 1914. My father noted the time of my birth. So, I know I came into the world that year, on an island just north of Inukjuak. »

(Taamusi Qumaq, Je veux que les Inuit soient libres de nouveau, Québec, Les Presses de l'Université du Québec, coll. « Jardin de givre », 2009, p. 33.)

Birth of the carver, storyteller and preacher Aisa Qupiqrualuk in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1916.

Birth of hunter, elder and author Willie Cooper in Rivière-Marralik (Nunavik) in 1919.

Birth of sculptor, author and hunter Isa Smiler in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1921.

Birth of author and soldier Eddy Weetaltuk in the Strutton Islands (Nunavut) in 1923.

Birth of the graphic artist, storyteller and hunter Tivi Etok, born in Qirnituarjuq (Nunavik) in 1928.

Birth of novelist, historian and teacher Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik) in 1931.

Birth of the Inuit elder, author and seamstress ᑐᐊᕋᓯ ᒥᐊᓱᒥᒃ in Tasiujaq (Nunavik) in 1932.

Birth of storyteller, carver and politician Lazarusie Epoo in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1932.

Birth of musician, hunter and Inuit elder born Apelie Nowra Kuujjuarapik (Nunavik) around 1936.

Birth in Cape Hope Islands (Nunavut) in 1936 of the playwright, writer, poet and committed essayist Minnie Aodla Freeman.

Birth of novelist, aviator and activist Markoosie Patsauq in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1941.

Birth of political negotiator and Canadian senator Charlie Watt in 1944 in Fort Chimo (now Kuujjuaq), Nunavik.

Birth of journalist, politician and essayist Mary Simon in Kangiqsualujjuaq (Nunavik) in 1947.

Birth of political leader, author and journalist born John Amagoalik Tasialuk (Nunavik) in 1947.

Birth of the visual artist and author Normee Ekoomiak in Cape Jones (Nunavik) in 1948.

Birth of poet and hunter born Jimmy Patsauq Naumealuk the Inukjuak region (Nunavik) in 1951.

Birth in Saputiligait (Nunavik) in 1951 of the essayist, journalist and politician Zebedee Nungak.

Birth of author, village mayor, and language analyst ᐋᑕᒥ ᖃᓕᖑ in Ivujivik (Nunavik) in 1951.

Birth of the journalist, cultural worker and musician William Tagoona born in Qamani’tuaq (Nunavut) in 1952.

Birth of the author, translator and igloo builder Janni Uitangak in Inurruat (close to Puvirnituq, Nunavik) in 1953.

Birth of environmental activist, essayist and politician Sheila Watt-Cloutier in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) in 1953.

Birth of visual artist, author, teacher and school principal Qumaq Mangiuk Iyaituk in Ivujivik (Nunavik) in 1954.

Birth of the poet, storyteller and teacher Emily Novalinga in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1954.

Birth of the essayist, producer and documentary filmmaker Jobie Weetaluktuk in Kangirsukallak (Nunavik) in 1958.

Birth of the journalist, photographer and musician Bob Mesher in Nunatsiavut in 1958.

Birth of Arctic anthropologist, essayist and activist  Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk born in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1962.

Birth of community worker and journalist Martha Malaya Inukpuk in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1963.

Death of storyteller Joanasie Qinnuarjuak in 1964.

Birth of the social worker, politician and translator ᓴᓕ ᓇᐅᒃᑲᒍᖅ in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1967.

Death of the sculptor, illustrator and storyteller Charlie Sivuarapik in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1968.

Publication of Inuit stories and legends from Povungnituk in Nunavik, in English and Inuktitut by Zebedee Nungak and Eugene Arima, under the title Eskimo Stories from Povungnituk. Unikkaatuat sanaugarngnik atyingualiit Puvirngniturngmit. This book has also been published in French and Inuktitut in 1975 under the title Légendes inuit de Povungnituk. Unikkaatuat sanaugarngnik atyingualiit Puvirngniturngmit.

Death of storyteller, hunter and Inuit elder Akuliaq in Inukjuak (Nunavik) at the beginning of the 1970s.

Publication of the English translation of the novel Harpoon of the hunter, by Markoosie Patsauq from Nunavik

Publication of the French translation of the novel Le harpon du chasseur by Markoosie Patsauq, first published in English in 1970 under the title Harpoon of the hunter.

Birth of cultural promoter and librarian-archivist Andy Pirti in Akulivik (Nunavik) in 1974.

Publication of the bilingual album of Nunavik legends and illustrations Whispering in My Ears and Mingling With My Dreams by Tivi Etok.

Publication of Inuit stories and legends from Povungnituk in Nunavik, in French and Inuktitut by Zebedee Nungak and Eugene Arima, under the title Légendes inuit de Povungnituk. Unikkaatuat sanaugarngnik atyingualiit Puvirngniturngmit. This book has also been published in English and Inuktitut in 1969 under the title Eskimo Stories from Povungnituk. Unikkaatuat sanaugarngnik atyingualiit Puvirngniturngmit.

Birth in Montréal (Québec) in 1975 of the poet, performer, throat-singer and curator Taqralik Partridge.

Birth of the film director, essayist and photographer Bobby Nenuajuak in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1976.

Publication of the bilingual (English and French) illustrated album of Tivi Etok from Nunavik, In the Days Long Past. Autrefois.

Birth of film director, essayist and photographer Bobby Kenuajuak in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1976.

Death of hunter, artist, and storyteller Davidialuk Alaasuaq in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1976.

Birth of the singer songwriter and documentary filmmaker Elisapie Isaac in Salluit (Nunavik) in 1977.

Birth of throat singer and accounting professional Caroline Novalinga in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1977.

Publication of the German translation of Mini Aodla Freeman's biography, Tochter der Innuit: Sprung ins 20, first published in English in 1978 under the title Life Among the Qallunaat.

Birth of the translator, throat singer and member of Puvirnituq's executive committee Sarah Beaulne in Rouyn-Noranda (Québec) in 1978.

Death of storyteller, elder and anthropologists’ informant Sachariasie Tukkiapik in 1979.

Birth of the administrator, early childhood specialist and Inuit culture promoter Julie-Anne Berthe in Nunavik in the 1980s.

Publication of an illustrated album for children in English and Inuktitut, entitled An Arctic Childhood. [Ukiuqtaqtumi surusiuniqby Normee Ekoomiak from Nunavik.

Birth of the author, Inuit literature specialist and French language teacher Nelly Duvicq in Dax (France).

Birth of the author Joanassie Sivuarapik in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1983.

Death of poet and hunter Jimmy Patsauq Naumealuk in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1984.

Birth in Quaqtaq (Nunavik) in 1985 of the singer-songwriter, author and cultural worker artist Beatrice Deer.

Death of sculptor, author and hunter Isa Smiler in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 1986.

Death of hunter, elder and author Willie Cooper in Kuujjuaq (Nunavik) in 1986.

Publication of the illustrated album for youth in English and Inuktitut entitled Arctic Memories, by Normee Ekoomiak from Nunavik. This book has also been published in French (1988), Italian (1988), Faroese (1989), Japanese (1990) and German (1994). The English and Inuktitut edition had new editions in 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Publication of the French translation of the illustrated album for children Arctic Memories, under the title Inuit. Tableaux d'une enfance dans l'Arctique. This book was first published in 1988 in English and Inuktitut. It has also been published in Italian (1988), Faroese (1989), Japanese (1990) and German (1994). The English and Inuktitut edition had new editions in 1989, 1990 and 1992.

Birth of the blogger, throat singer and cultural activist Janice Grey born in Aupaluk (Nunavik) in 1989.

Publication of the French translation of Mini Aodla Freeman's biography, Ma vie chez les Qallunaat, first published in English in 1978 under the title Life Among the Qallunaat.

Publication of ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᓪᓚᕆᖏᑦ, the only Inuktitut dictionary from Nunavik, by ᑖᒧᓯ ᖁᒪᖅ.

Death of historian, linguist, writer and politician Taamusi Qumaq in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 1993.

Publication in English of the autobiographical story of Dorothy Mesher, from Nunavik to Nunatsiavut, entitled Kuujjuaq — Memories and Musings.

Publication of the French translation of the novel ᓴᓈᖅ by ᒥᑎᐊᕐᔪᒃ ᓇᑉᐹᓗᒃ ᐅᐃᒍᐃᑎᑐᑦ from Nunavik.

Publication in French of the youth story Chasse en qimutsik by Joanassie Sivuarapik from Nunavik.

Death of carver, storyteller and preacher Aisa Qupiqrualuk in Puvirnituq (Nunavik) in 2004.

Death of author and soldier Eddy Weetaltuk in Uniujaq (Nunavik) in 2005.

Publication of the French language illustrated album L'écho du Nord by ᐄᒦᓕ ᓄᕙᓕᓐᖓᒥᒃ from Nunavik.

Death of carver, hunter and storyteller Johnny Inukpuk in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 2007.

Death of the novelist, historian and teacher Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk in Kangiqsujuaq (Nunavik) in 2007.

Publication of Le Monde de Tivi Etok. La vie et l’art d’un aîné inuit. The World of Tivi Etok. The Life and Art of an Inuit Elder. ᑏᕕ ᐃᑦᑑᑉ ᐃᓅᓯᖓ ᓴᓇᓐᖑᐊᕈᓯᖓᓗ ᐅᓂᒃᑲᐅᓯᖏᓪᓗ by Tivi Etok, Jobie Weetaluktuk and Robyn Bryant.

Death of visual artist and author Normee Ekoomiak in Ottawa (Ontario) in 2009.

Death of the poet, storyteller and teacher Emily Novalinga in Montréal in 2009.

ᐅᓇᓕᑕᒐ ᐅᖃᒻᒪᕆᒍᑎᖃᕐᓂᕋ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᒃ, ᓇᔭᑦᓵᒃ
ᐃᓅᓯᕐᒥ ᐱᐅᑦᓯᐊᖏᑦᑐᓄᑦ ᓱᒋᐊᕐᑕᐅᓂᕐᓄᑦ ᐊᒥᓱᓄᑦ ᐊᕐᖁᓵᕐᑕᐅᓚᐅᕆᕗᑎᑦ
ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᐊ ᓇᓪᓕᖏᓐᓄᓘᓐᓃᑦ ᓵᓚᒋᔭᐅᓚᐅᓐᖏᓚᑎᑦ!
ᐃᓗᑦᑎᓃᑦᑐᖅ ᐱᔪᓐᓇᑎᑕᐅᓂᖅ ᖃᐅᔨᓲᕗᑦ
ᐱᑕᖃᕐᑎᑕᐅᒍᑎᒋᑦᓱᒍ ᓱᓇᐅᕝᕙ
ᐊᑑᑎᓚᖓᔪᕆᓐᓂᖏᑦᑕᑎᓐᓂᒃ ᐊᔪᕐᓇᑐᒃᑰᕈᑎᓂᒃ ᐊᕐᖁᓵᕆᑦᓱᑕ
ᐊᓂᒍᐃᒍᑎᒋᓚᐅᕆᕙᑎᓪᓕ ᑕᒪᒃᑯᓂᖓᐅᒐᓗᐊᖅ

ᔦᐱᑎ ᓄᓐᖓᐅᑉ ᐊᓪᓚᑕᖏᑦ

Publication of the French translation of Taamusi Qumaq's autobiography from Nunavik entitled Je veux que les Inuit soient libres de nouveau, considered as the most important text from Nunavik. This autobiography was also translated into Marathi in 2019.

Publication of A Bibliography of Canadian Inuit Periodicals, by Sharon Rankin, which makes an inventory of magazines, journals, newspapers and newsletters published by or about the Inuit of Canada.

Death of storyteller, carver and politician born Lazarusie Epoo in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 2012.

Publication of the collective trilingual book on Inuktitut language in Nunavik Illirijavut. ᐃᓪᓕᕆᔭᕗᑦ. That which we treasure. La langue que nous chérissons, by Zebedee Nungak, Ida Saunders, Moses Novalinga and Adamie Kalingo.

Publication of the trilingual (English, French, Inuktitut) book of photographies Labrador by Bob Mesher. It is the first book of photographies by an Inuit from Nunavik ever published.

Publication of the collective essay on linguistic issues in Nunanga, the Arctic territory of the Inuit, Uqausivut sivummuagutivut. Our Language, Our Leadership, edited by Jeela Palluq Cloutier and Louis McComber.

Publication of the English translation of the novel ᓴᓈᖅ by ᒥᑎᐊᕐᔪᒃ ᓇᑉᐹᓗᒃ ᐅᐃᒍᐃᑎᑐᑦ from Nunavik.

Publication by administrator, early childhood specialist and Inuit culture promoter Julie-Ann Berthe of the Inuit cookbook of traditional recipes ᓄᓇᕕᒻᒥ ᐃᓚᒌᓄᑦ ᓂᕐᓯᐅᑏᑦ. Nunavik Family Cookbook.

Publication of the trilingual (English, French, Inuktitut) book Traditions Relating to Customary Law in Nunavik by Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk. 

Publication of the biographical essay The Right to be Cold by Sheila Watt-Cloutier. This book has been translated into French under the title Le droit au froid in 2019.

Publication in Hindi of Markoosie's novel, Harpoon of the hunter at the University of Mumbai.

Publication in Marathi of Markoosie's novel, Harpoon of the hunter, at the University of Mumbai.

Publication of the youth album The Fox Wife by Beatrice Deer from Nunavik, based on her song Fox.

Publication of the youth album ᑎᕆᐊᒐ ᖓᐊ ᑉ ᕐᓇ by Beatrice Deer from Nunavik, based on her song Fox.

Publication of the first essai on Inuit literary history in Nunavik, entitled in French Histoire de la littérature inuite du Nunavik, by Nelly Duvicq.

Publication into French of the biographical essay Le droit au froid by Sheila Watt-Cloutier. This book has first been published in English under the title The Right to be Cold in 2015.

Death of the film director, essayist and photographer Bobby Kenuajuak in Montréal in 2020.

Inuktitut translation of the Greenlandic tale about climate change ᓯᓚ. ᑲᓛᓪᓖᑦ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᑐᐊᖓ ᓯᓚᕐᔪᐊᒥ ᓯᓚᐅᑉ ᐊᓯᔾᔨᐸᓪᓕᐊᓂᖓᓄᐊᖓᔪᖅ by Lana Hansen. The translation of this tale is the first literary translation between two Inuit languages, here from Greenlandic to Inuktitut.

Death of novelist, pilot and activist Markoosie Patsauq in Inukjuak (Nunavik) in 2020.

Publication of the trilingual book of poetry (English, Inuktitut, French) by Taqralik Partridge, curved against the hull of a peterhead.

Publication of the trilingual exhibition catalog ᓴᕐᖀᒋᐊᓪᓚᓂᖅ: ᐸᑎᕐᑎᒐᖅᓕᐅᕐᓂᖅ ᓄᓇᕕᒻᒥ (2014-2019) by Lyne Bastien, Olivia Lya Thomassie, Maggie Napartuk and Qumaq M. Iyaituk, with a foreword by Lisa Koperqualuk.

Death of journalist, photographer and musician Bob Mesher in Goose Bay in 2021.

Publication of the album for young people co-created with the students of Nuvviti school in Ivujivik (Nunavik), ᐃᓄᒐᒍᓪᓕᖅ L’inugagullirq.