Table Of ContentThe Significance oiNuna (the Land) and Urban Place-making for Inuit
living in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
By
Anita Kushwaha
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
in
Geography
Carleton University
Ottawa, Ontario
©2013
Anita Kushwaha
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Abstract
This thesis examines the significance of the land for urban Inuit residing in
Ottawa (Ottawamiut), the role of urban place-making efforts in fostering meaningful
connections to land, and the role of Inuit organizations in facilitating the creation of ‘Inuit
places’ that facilitate connections to land.
Based on the rich, insightful and compelling narratives presented in this thesis, I
demonstrate that:
(1) The land or nuna plays a significant role in the lives of Ottawamiut participants in this
study;
(2) The land continues to be of significance for Ottawamiut between generations (i.e. the
inter-generational significance of the land);
(3) Urban place-making efforts are key to fostering meaningful connections to the land
within this urban setting; and
(4) Local Inuit organizations, in particular, facilitate connections to the land, thereby
transforming abstract urban space into Inuit place—that is, safe places of cultural
inclusion—where Ottawamiut are able to engage with land-based knowledge and cultural
practices in ways that are both beneficial and relevant to their urban lives.
This thesis demonstrates that part of the common ground which draws this diverse
and growing population of individuals together is their deep rooted connections to the
land, a connection that is part of the collective, cultural memory and identity of Inuit
whether northern or southern-dwelling. Ottawamiut make symbolic connections to the
land through the transfer of Inuit knowledge, cultural practices, country food, language,
and identity. Critical to all of these is the ability to gather and share. Local Inuit
organizations, through the culturally-specific programs and services that they provide,
build community and foster connections to the land that extend its meanings into
southern, urban space.
ii
This research adds to the emerging area of urban Inuit research, and contributes
novel understandings about how urban Inuit ‘make place’ for themselves in Ottawa in
ways that extend land meanings, thereby transcending supposed geographic boundaries
of North and South, and/or urban and rural. In addition, this thesis highlights the needs
and concerns of urban Inuit—such as rights and representation by national Inuit
organizations—which tend to be poorly understood and underrepresented in urban
Indigenous research.
iii
Acknowledgements
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who contributed their
time, knowledge and support in order to make this research project possible.
To begin, I’m indebted to the Ottawamiut participants who spent countless hours
with me, and so openly shared their knowledge and stories. I hope that the collaborative
work we’ve done together helps to benefit the wider community.
Heartfelt thanks goes out to my thesis supervisors, Fran Klodawsky and Donna
Patrick, who have been extremely supportive throughout the course of my doctoral
program. Their encouragement, advice and expertise have greatly contributed to my
academic progress and to the development of this thesis.
I’d also like to thank my thesis committee members, Gita Ljubicic and Mike
Brklacich, for the time, attention and constructive criticism they’ve provided to help
guide this project.
I’ve had a great deal of support from my student colleagues. In particular, I’d like
to thank Pascale Roy-Leveillee and Rae-Lyn Bennett-Blaney for being my personal
cheerleaders, always there with friendship, understanding and unwavering
encouragement.
Heartfelt thanks goes to my family for their constant support and encouragement.
Thanks to my cat, Noodles, for keeping me company during all the late nights spent at the
computer. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my husband, Daniel-Ravi Thakorlal, who—
in my eyes—has earned himself an honorary doctorate in patience. Thank you for being
my best friend.
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Table of Contents
Abstract ii
Acknowledgements iv
Table of Contents v
List of Figures viii
List of Appendices ix
Chapter 1 - Introduction 1
1.1.Introduction...................................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement of the Problem............................................................................................ 3
1.3. Research Questions..................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Research Contributions............................................................................................... 5
1.5. Thesis Organization.................................................................................................... 7
1.6. Establishing Context.........................................................................................................7
1.6.1. Urban Inuit Associations Across Canada............................................................... 24
Chapter 2 - Conceptual Framework and Literature Review 31
2.1. Inuit Conceptualizations of the Land......................................................................... 32
2.2. Concepts of place....................................................................................................... 35
2.3. Urban Indigenous = ‘Out of Place’? ......................................................................... 38
2.4. Contemporary Meanings of the Land for Urban Indigenous people........................ 44
2.5. Research on Urban Indigenous Connections to the Land and Place........................ 48
2.6. Research on Urban Inuit Connections to the Land and Place....................................53
Chapter 3 - Research Approach and Methods 58
3.1. Decolonised Approaches Research........................................................................... 58
3.2. Critical Reflexivity: Situating Myself within the Research....................................... 66
3.3. Methods..................................................................................................................... 70
3.3.1. Study Area............................................................................................................. 70
3.3.2. Research Ethics....................................................................................................... 72
3.3.3. The Research Process: Building Relationships........................................................73
3.4. Data Collection......................................................................................................... 77
3.4.1. Life histories.......................................................................................................... 77
3.4.2. Semi-structured Interviews................................................................................... 79
3.4.2.1. Younger Generations of Inuit...............................................................................82
3.4.2.2. Key-Informants.....................................................................................................82
3.4.3 Participant Observation............................................................................................83
3.5. Analysis..................................................................................................................... 94
3.5.1. Life Histories and Interviews..................................................................................94
Chapter 4 - Elder Life Histories 95
4.1. Life History of Ovilu Goo-Doyle..............................................................................99
4.2. Life History of Maria Brazeau.................................................................................128
4.3. Life History of Sally Webster..................................................................................153
Chapter 5 - Urban Inuit Perspectives on Land, Identity, and Place 206
5.1. Land........................................................................................................................ 207
5.2. Identity.................................................................................................................... 216
5.2.1. Identity and Urban Inuit Rights........................................................................... 229
5.3. Inuit-specific Community-based Service Agencies.................................................232
Chapter 6 - Synthesis: Thematic Analysis 238
6.1. Why Ottawa?........................................................................................................... 243
6.2. Meanings of the Land.............................................................................................. 248
6.3. The Land and Symbols............................................................................................ 253
6.4. The Land and History.............................................................................................. 254
6.5. The Land and Inuit Knowledge............................................................................... 256
6.6. The Land and Cultural Practices.............................................................................. 257
6.7. The Land and Country Food.................................................................................... 260
vi
6.8. The Land and Language........................................................................................... 264
6.9. The Land and Identity.............................................................................................. 267
6.10. The Land and Local Inuit Organizations............................................................... 273
6.11. The Evolution of ‘Inuit places’ in Ottawa............................................................. 275
6.12. Land and Urban Inuit Rights................................................................................. 280
Chapter 7 - Summary and Conclusion 287
7.1 Summary and Conclusion........................................................................................ 287
7.2. Future Directions.................................................................................................. 292
References...................................................................................................................... 295
vii
List of Figures
Figure 1. Map of Inuit Nunaat.....................................................................................2
Figure 2. Poster advertising Tungasuwingat Inuit’s 1st Annual Spring Equinox
Festival.............................................................................................................................. 87
Figure 3. Image of a qulliq, a traditional Inuit seal oil lamp.................................... 89
Figure 4. Image of an Inuk woman preparing and distributing seal meat at ‘Inuit
Day 2011’ celebrations held at the Ottawa Inuit Children’s Centre.............................. 92
Figure 5 - 22. Sally Webster’s Stories From Childhood.......................................158 -175
Figure 23 - 56. Sally Webster’s Teaching Tools 184 -202
List of Appendices
Appendix A: Ethics Clearance........................................................................................ 310
Appendix B: Consent Forms........................................................................................... 311
Appendix C: List of Elder Participants........................................................................... 315
Appendix D: Guiding Questions for Oral Histories....................................................... 316
Appendix E: List of Participants from the Ottawa Inuit Community............................. 319
Appendix F: List of Key Informants from Government and Inuit Organizations.................. 320
Appendix G: Interview Guide for Key Informants......................................................... 321
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