The Holy Father made his final stop on his pilgrimage of healing, reconciliation, and hope in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Pope Francis had the opportunity to hear and appreciate a language that itself was suppressed as a result of residential schools. Inuit language and cultural expression were prominently featured in the public program.
Newsroom (29/07/2022 11:27 AM Gaudium Press) Pope Francis arrived on the ITA Air A330 following a 3-hour, 5-minute flight from Quebec City. The Holy Father did not travel in a FIAT during the Nunavut leg of the pilgrimage but in a local Chevy Equinox for the short visit. The Holy Father’s motorcade, which included the cardinals travelling with him in a yellow school bus, arrived at Nakasuk Elementary School, one of four elementary schools in Iqaluit. Besides Pope Francis, Mary Simon, the Governor General of Canada, also participated in the day’s events.
Pope Francis met with Inuit survivors and intergenerational survivors of residential schools for an intimate encounter inside Nakasuk School. He was greeted by the Governor General and an elder and youth representative. President Kotierk will facilitate the gathering.
Pope Francis participated in lighting the qulliq in a gymnasium recreated with the warmth and comfort of an igloo. Four individuals will deliver personal testimonies on behalf of themselves and their families.
The qulliq is a small stone lamp fuelled by seal oil and wick from arctic cotton. It is an integral part of Inuit spirituality and is often used ceremonially to open an event with brief remarks from the qulliq lighter. But it is a practical tool used to heat a dwelling, make tea and cook food.
Pope Francis and the survivors proceeded to the grounds in front of Nakasuk School to join a public cultural event. Pope Francis got a rousing applause when he went on to the stage, designed to suggest a qammaq, an Inuit summer home, reflecting traditional construction materials – whale ribs, sod, stone. Francis wore a big white overcoat as the weather was 14 degrees Celcius.
Cultural performers were chosen by Inuit partners to highlight Inuit traditions that were nearly lost during the residential schools’ era. The artists contributing to all aspects of the day’s events, including arrival and departure ceremonies, tell a cohesive story of resilience and strength through trauma, and the revitalization of cultural practices that are now actively taught and learned.
The MC for the cultural performance was Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, an Inuk from Puvirnituq, Nunavik. She is President of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada and a member of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Board of Directors.
The Cultural performance included the following:
Inuit throat singing is an intimate acoustic performance by two women who stand close together and exchange short rhythmic patterns through inhalation and exhalation. The sounds mimic those heard in nature and come from deep within the performers. This performance features two distinct styles of throat singing – katajjaq, which is more commonly performed, and qiaqvaak, which is rarely heard.
Drum dancing is a social activity common during community gatherings and celebrations. It is typically but not always performed by men. It has spiritual significance, important in ensuring successful hunts. Like many Inuit traditions, it was eradicated as Inuit became colonized and is experiencing a resurgence among youth who are learning from elders.
Pisiq These songs are often sung by elders. They are meaningful repetitions of Inuktut phrases and melodies uniquely owned and passed down through families.
The performers were:
Huqqullaaqatigit is a group of Ualinningmiut-style singers and dancers from Cambridge Bay.
Julia Ogina, leader of Huqqullaaqatigit, spoke on behalf of the performers. She described what brought them all together today. “Our songs were almost lost but they have a way of finding us because we are spiritual beings. This is what Inuit culture is. Cultural expression is healing. Our songs are an expression of our strength.”
On stage were her daughter Trisha and grandaughters Makaia and Kaylie Havioyak, who sang a pisiq. Three men, Jerry Puglik, Noah Kudlak, and Malachai Angulalik Mala, performed a drum dance, sharing one drum.
Qiaqvaaq throat singers – Mary Anautalik and Lois Suluk Locke. Mary is the last living elder relocated from Ennendai Lake and the last living Qiaqvaaq singer (an older form of throat singing) in Arviat. Lois, her student, is an actor, jaw harp player, and throat singer.
Kattajaq throat singers – Akinisie Sivuarapik and Emily Sallualluk are sisters from Puvirnituq. They began throat singing at ages 6 and 8, respectively and were taught by their grandmother Mary Sivuarapik.
Mary and Lois sang a qiaqvaaq throat song. Lois and Akinisie sang the Love Song. Sisters Akinisie and Emily continued to throat sing to round out the performance.
Deantha Edmunds Ramsay is an Inuit classical singer from Nunatsiavut. She sang Saimartigut Jêsuse, an Inuttitut song of peace traditionally sung at Christmas and New Year.
Elder Piita Irniq did a drum dance with youth drum dancer Malachai Angulalik Mala.
After this, Elder Piita presented his drum to Pope Francis. who, in turn, gave the Elder a little red velvet-type box which one can guess contained a blessed rosary.
Pope Francis then addressed the crowd gathered and provided three pieces of advice. Holy Father Francis said, “I am sorry” in Inuktitut, “Mamianaq,” acknowledging families broken up and children are taken far from home. “Winter fell over everything.” A full transcript of the Pope’s speech will be posted on this website
After the speech, The Pope was presented with a sealskin stole to loud applause from all gathered. The Pope then stood up to pray the Our Father with everyone and bestowed his apostolic blessing on all present. The crowd could be heard loudly saying, “We Love you.”
Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church choir, the only church in Iqaluit, sang the Lord’s Prayer in Inuktitut. The crowd gathered started chanting “We love you,” and there was a feeling of genuine joy at what had just taken place. Pope Francis waved and smiled at the crowd
Departure Ceremony at the Airport
At the Airport, singers Sandi Vincent, Mia Maurice, Laura Churchill, Minnie Akeeagok, Sylvia Cloutier, and Alexia Galloway-Alainga performed two songs.
Quviasuliqpunga is a traditional song from North Baffin. It honours a particular time of year for Inuit when the first two stars appear in the sky while it is still light out. It is a reminder that the Inuit are proud to be alive as there is another day to come.
Inuit Sivuniksangat speaks to the future of Inuit. It is an original song by Sylvia Cloutier and Celina Kalluk. Its lyrics say: I am young, I am proud, I come from a beautiful land, and I come from powerful people.
With this, the Penitential Pilgrimage of Pope Francis came to an end as he returns to Rome.
– Raju Hasmukh
