Press Release

Val-d’Or, September 15, 2010 – With The Inuit and the Aboriginal World as its theme, the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and DIALOG, the Research and Knowledge Network Relating to Aboriginal Peoples, will host the 17th Inuit Studies Conference. This international scientific gathering will bring together close to 200 representatives from university and inuit communities from Canada, Greenland, Alaska and elsewhere, on October 28-30 at the UQAT First Peoples Pavilion on the Val-d'Or campus.

Mr. Donat Savoie, ex-negociator for the Ministry of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, and recently awarded the National Assembly's Order of Quebec, will act as Honorary President for the 17th Inuit Studies Conference's while Mr. Pita Aatami, President of the Makivik Corporation, will pronounce the opening conference. Among the principal themes to be explored during the conference are education, language and identity, local, national, and international governance, health and environment, all topical issues. Numerous cultural activities will also enhance the conference program. As well, the general public is invited to attend the There Will Be Stars show performed by Élisapie Isaac, an Inuk singer from Salluit in Nunavik, on Thursday, October 28, at 8:00 PM at the Théâtre Télébec. The tickets will be available next Friday, September 17, at all usual selling points of the Théâtre Télébec .

Since 1978, this conference has brought together players of the university community interested in issues specific to Northern populations and territories. Since its first year in Quebec City, this biennial event has alternated between the Arctic communities of the North and those of the South: it was held in Fairbanks in 1990, in Iqaluit in 1994, and in Paris, in 2006. Hosting of the 17th Inuit Studies Conference in Val-d’Or has been made possible thanks to the financial support of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and Xstrata Nickel.

Participation to this event is still possible, but places are limited. Register now!
The conference registration form is available online at: www.uqat.ca/isc-cei-2010/.

For information:
Mélissa Girard
819 874-8728, ext. 2642
1-866-891-8728, ext. 2642
isc-cei.2010@uqat.ca

Source : Laurie Chabot
Service des communications et du recrutement
Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
819 874-8728 poste 6304