The Federal Government to Apologize to Inuit in Nunavik for Sled Dog Killings

The federal government has announced that it will apologize to the Inuit community in Nunavik for the killing of sled dogs that occurred between the mid-1950s and the late 1960s. This acknowledgment comes after years of advocacy from the Makivik Corporation, which represents the Inuit in Nunavik, for recognition of the harm caused by the dog slaughter.

Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree made the announcement during the Inuit-Crown partnership committee meeting in Ottawa. The apology is set to take place in Nunavik, the Inuit region of Northern Quebec, with the date still being finalized but potentially happening by the end of the month.

Anandasangaree emphasized that while the apology cannot undo the past, it is a step towards healing and rebuilding the important relationship between the government and the Inuit community. The killing of sled dogs had devastating consequences for Inuit dog owners, as it deprived them of their primary means of transportation for hunting and trapping, leading to a significant impact on their way of life.

The province of Quebec has already issued an apology for its role in the dog killings, with a report from retired Superior Court of Quebec judge Jean-Jacques Croteau highlighting the lack of intervention or condemnation from federal agents and civil servants during the period of the slaughter.

In 2011, Quebec Premier Jean Charest formally apologized to the Inuit in Nunavik and reached a settlement with Makivik for $3 million to support and preserve Inuit language and culture. In 2019, the federal government also apologized to Inuit in Nunavut for the RCMP’s involvement in similar sled dog killings.

The Qikiqtani Truth Commission’s final report revealed that the RCMP had shot hundreds of dogs in Nunavut out of fear of loose dogs or disease spread. The apologies and acknowledgments from both the federal and provincial governments have provided a platform for impacted individuals to share their stories and have helped raise awareness of the historical injustices faced by the Inuit community.

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout expressed support for the apology, noting the similarities between the events in Nunavik and her own riding. She emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for those affected to share their experiences, which has led to a deeper understanding of the pain and trauma caused by the sled dog killings.