Culture,
Language, Elders and Youth

Language Promotion and Learning

The Division of Official Languages actively promotes the use of the Inuit language among all age groups through the following initiatives.

Titiraliritti! The Nunavut Literary Prize

Titiraliritti the Nunavut Literary Prize is an initiative of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. It is an annual prize to encourage the writing and publishing of new literature in Inuktitut / Inuinnaqtun. There are two categories, regular and youth for the best stories written in Inuktitut / Inuinnaqtun

This year’s theme: Quvianaqtun Unikkaat (Share a joyful, happy story)

Regular Category Prize

1st $5000
2nd $3000
3rd $1000

Youth Category Prize

$800

Eligibility Criteria

  • Authors of any age currently residing in Nunavut.
  • Literature submitted for consideration must be written in Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun and not yet published.
  • Literature may be submitted only once for the prize.
  • Elders who are unable to write can team up with someone to enter the contest. In this case both the elder and the person who assisted would share the prize.
  • A writer can also team up with an elder to help write a story. In this case, the elder’s help must be acknowledged on the submission form and both the writer and the elder who assisted would share the prize.
  • A maximum of two people can enter a single submission.
  • Youth Category ages (15 to 30) only. Must clearly indicate that you are entering your story or poem in the youth category.

A Strange or Amazing Event

We are looking for Inuit stories in Inuktitut / Inuinnaqtun.

Submission Procedure & Closing Date

To be considered for the 2008 Nunavut Literary Prize, writers must:
  • Submit a copy of their work with a submission form to Tocasie Burke at the Department Culture, Language, Elders and Youth by January 30, 2009 at 5:00 pm EST
  • Submissions must be on 8 ½” x 11” blank or lined paper
  • No grid paper / coil bound paper
  • Writing should appear on one side of the page only
  • Pages must be numbered
  • The story must have a title
  • Submissions must be typed, or hand written in blue or black ink
  • If submissions are faxed, originals must be sent by mail or emailed to cley@gov.nu.ca

Submission form
Submission form (doc)

Selection Process

The Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth will appoint a panel of judges. The panel will review all eligible submissions and select winners in each prize category..

Announcement of Winners

Winners are announced in February 2009

Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq (Inuit Language Week)

This week-long celebration of the Inuit language takes place each year at the beginning of February. It reminds all Nunavummiut of the important place the Inuit language has in the territory and provides opportunities for people of all ages to learn, practice and celebrate Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun.

For more information about Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq activities, please contact the Manager of Inuktitut Affairs at (867) 975-5528.

Activity examples:

Celebration of Language Lesson Activity (PDF)
Story Writing Contest (PDF)
ᐅᖃᓗᕋᐅᔭᐅᑏᑦ (Poem) (PDF)
Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqarniq Activity Book (PDF)
Inuktitut Flash Cards (PDF)