Igloolik: A Tangible and Intangible Heritage Waiting to Be Discovered

The result of a four-year collaboration between teams from the Research Chair on Relations with Inuit Societies, the Bibliothèque de l'Université Laval, Nunavut Arctic College in Igloolik, and Igloolik High School, the virtual exhibition Inuit Worlds, from past to present highlights the richness of Canada’s Inuit culture, both past and present. This new trilingual educational tool, available in French, English, and Inuktitut, is intended for young Inuit, scientists working in the Arctic, and the general public interested in learning about Inuit history, heritage, and culture.

Drawing on a collection of everyday objects gathered in the Igloolik region of Nunavut in the 1960s and 1970s by anthropologist Bernard Saladin d’Anglure, and by giving a voice to local knowledge holders, this exhibition invites visitors to discover the worlds of these children, women, and men. Through toys, clothing, tools, and accessories, Inuit Worlds reveals the ingenuity of the Inuit, their age-old ability to adapt to their environment, and the importance of community life.

Much more than just a showcase of artifacts, this virtual exhibition provided a unique opportunity for collaboration with the people of Igloolik. The objects served as memory aids, enabling the co-creation of this website and fostering the transmission of knowledge—both between the Inuit and the team from Laval University, and locally between youth and elders. Through these numerous exchanges, audio and video testimonials were recorded and now accompany the objects displayed on this site. Accompanied by descriptive texts, photos—including 360° panoramic images—and interactive games, they form the heart of this website, a vibrant tribute to the wisdom of the Iglulimmiut, contributing to the preservation of Inuit culture in Canada.

 Visit the virtual exhibition