In Kangiqsujuaq on November 23, 2024, the long-awaited federal apology for the Nunavik dog slaughter was delivered, providing an emotional moment of acknowledgment for decades of trauma.

The emotion in the room was both visible and palpable as elders from Kangiqsujuaq, along with others from all but three Nunavik communities, gave testimonials to Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. There were tears from the speakers and those in attendance as they heard stories related to the killing of their families’ dogs. Also in the room were two members of the RCMP and sitting alongside the Minister were Makivvik President Pita Aatami and ITK President Natan Obed, to witness and acknowledge the pain and trauma that had been subjected on those giving testimony.

The Nunavik-wide apology was an historic moment delivered by Minister Anandasangaree on behalf of the Canadian govern-ment and broadcast live on the radio and through social media. The ceremony, held in a packed gymnasium right across the hall from where the testimonials were heard moments before, brought together the elders, other Inuit leaders, and community members.

Following the lighting of the qullik and words from Makivvik President Pita Aatami regarding the impact of the dog slaughter, Makivvik Executives Adamie Delisle Alaku, George Berthe, Alicia Aragutak, and Andy Moorhouse all spoke to different aspects of the Nunavik sled dog’s importance traditionally and culturally. ITK President Natan Obed spoke about the importance of reconciliation in Inuit Nunangat, noting that this apology is a good first step.

Minister Anandasangaree addressed reconciliation in reading the apology. “This formal apology is one of the steps the federal govern-ment is taking to reconcile that relationship in an effort to rebuild the trust with you.” He also acknowledged the distrust toward the federal government and police was caused by a betrayal, “by those who were tasked to support and live in partnership with Inuit and who were present in your communities.”

“RCMP are here in community with us today,” he said, “to show their support of this apology and to affirm their commit-ment to rebuilding trust, fostering reconciliation efforts, and building relationships with Inuit.”

The apology was an emotional and symbolic gesture, but one that was long overdue, despite tireless advocacy from Inuit leaders, including Makivvik President Pita Aatami.

Aatami, whose efforts have been integral to this apology, recalls hearing about the dog slaughter for the first time in 1999, when a woman from Kangiqsujuaq told him her husband’s dogs had been killed. “I was very touched by the woman who told me the story,” he said. “From then on, I knew this would be a priority.”

Back in 2011, the government of Quebec formally apologized for the province’s role in the sled dog killings and paid compensation of $3 million toward promoting and protecting Inuit language and culture. However, the federal government did not participate at the time, which caused further pain for Nunavimmiut.

After years of hard work, Inuit leadership changes, and even a global pandemic, the federal apology finally arrived and was received with a standing ovation. And on that November day, Aatami was the one to formally accept it on behalf of the Nunavik people. After the Minister’s remarks, he turned to the elders in the audience and asked, “Do you accept this apology?” The answer was clear — a resounding yes.

“This is just one part of our sad history,” he said in his remarks. “We’ve had residential schools, relocations, and this dog slaughter. It’s been a long journey, but we’re moving forward together now.”

The Role of the Dogs

Sled dogs in Nunavik used to be a symbol of survival, strength, and culture with the bond between Inuit and their dogs running deep. It shaped Nunavimmuit’s way of life, yet, for many elders in the region, this relationship is also scarred by the traumatic past that was thrust upon them in the 1950s and 1960s.

During this time, government and military authorities, including the RCMP, systematically slaughtered thousands of Inuit sled dogs, and in the North, where the sled dog was not merely a companion but a critical partner in survival, this action caused irreparable harm. It was a forced decimation of the Inuit’s ability to navigate the wilderness, hunt, and live off the land.

The dogs were killed in a variety of ways, and the images of their deaths are seared into the memories of many elders. For Inuit, it wasn’t just an attack on their means of transportation; it was an assault on their identity, their culture, and their self-sufficiency.

For Tiivi Dupuis, hearing the federal apology was a powerful experience. “We didn’t even know my great-uncle had dogs until the first round of compensation,” he says. “He was a quiet man. You wonder, was he quiet because of that?” Dupuis, who has owned dogs for the past three years, speaks with a sense of loss that is deeply personal. “I’ve had maybe 13 or 15 dogs die in the last few years — I can’t imagine losing them all at once.”

A Call for Healing and Action

The apology was not just a symbolic gesture, but also came with tangible promises of support. The Canadian government announced $45 million will go to Makivvik, and the corporation has stated it will prioritize transparency and community engage-ment in determining how these funds are allocated. A communications plan is being developed to ensure that Nunavimmiut know where the money is going.

At the time of this article, Makivvik is waiting for the official agreement to be signed. It will take several months to receive the full amount, and Makivvik is anticipating that funds may begin to reach Nunavimmiut in Fall 2025.

The funds will be directed toward three key areas that were identified during the proposal’s development:

· Cultural and socio-economic growth: Revitalizing cultural practices, including support for dog teams.
· Mental health and healing: Delivering Inuit-based programs to address intergenerational trauma.
· Land and food security: Increasing access to hunting, fishing, and ensuring Inuit-led food security initiatives.

The funding allocation work will include careful planning, consultations, and collaboration to ensure fair and meaningful outcomes. In addition, Makivvik is looking at leveraging money from other sources to bolster the apology dollars, to make the greatest impact on programming for Nunavimmiut.

The corporation will also be exploring the feasibility of individual compensation for those directly impacted by the dog slaughters. This will involve updating existing compensation lists and creating a compensation list for Killiniq, with a verification process to be undertaken with the communities and elders.

Lucy Grey, who has worked with Makivvik for decades on this issue, emphasized that the funds would not just go toward com-pensation but to community-driven initiatives aimed at rebuilding the Inuit way of life. “We now have an opportunity to move forward,” she said, reflecting on the significance of the apology. “The tension is gone. Now we can focus on rebuilding, on the practical solutions that our communities need.”

“This isn’t just about giving money,” Grey explained. “It’s about giving our communities the tools and resources they need to regain control over their own lives and culture.”

Rebuilding a Culture

The path forward is about restoring the Inuit connection to the land and to the animals that have played such a critical role in their survival for millennia. Sled dogs were not just tools; they were cultural symbols, guardians of tradition, and companions in a harsh environment.

As Pita Aatami said, “These dogs were our saviours. Without them, we would not have survived for thousands of years.”

The Makivvik-run Ivakkak dog sled race, which brings together mushers from across Nunavik every year, has been a vital part of this cultural revival. “The highlight for me is the sense of pride,” says Tiivi Dupuis, who hopes to participate in the race this year. “And the unconditional love from the dogs.”

The road to healing is long, and the scars of the past will take time to heal. Grey and Aatami both stress that this apology is just the beginning.

“Although the apology will not bring back the dogs,” Aatami said, “this is the first step. We are not going to be oppressed any-more. We are going to regain our self-determination as Inuit of Nunavik.”

Moving Forward Together

This apology marked a critical turning point in the relationship between the Canadian government and Inuit communities in Nunavik.

As the ceremony in Kangiqsujuaq concluded, the community erupted into applause, led by an elder in the front row.

For many in Nunavik, the apology represents more than just an official statement — it symbolizes a renewed sense of hope and determination. As Lucy Grey said, “We will move forward together. This is only the beginning.”

Makivvik Executives and staff would like to acknowledge the Elders from across Nunavik who attended the apology and who graciously shared their stories with the Minister. Makivvik would also like to extend appreciation to the com-munity of Kangiqsujuaq who generously hosted the apology and welcomed the Elders and attendees so warmly before, during, and after the apology event.

The full text of the apology can be found here:
https://www.rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca/eng/1732300419996/1732 300456676#s2