Hockey Night in Canada scores an itiqtitsijut with broadcasts in Inuktitut
Being able to speak Inuktitut on Hockey Night in Canada is a dream come true for Pujjuut Kusugak. He expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s just one of those things that you wished and fantasized about but now it’s a real thing that’s coming up.” Kusugak, along with a small group of passionate speakers, will have the opportunity to speak their own languages on Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) which will broadcast three games in Plains Cree and three games in Inuktitut this NHL season.
The games in Cree will be aired on Jan. 18, Feb. 8, and Feb. 22, while the games in Inuktitut will be broadcast on March 8, March 22, and April 12 by APTN. Earl Wood, from Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta, who has previously commentated on HNIC in Cree, will be joined by announcer Clarence Iron and analysts John Chabot and Jason Chamakese for the Cree broadcasts. Wood sees these broadcasts as a way to work towards reclaiming Indigenous languages.
He believes that it is crucial to infuse the importance of Indigenous languages, which are an integral part of their identity, into young people through platforms like HNIC. Kusugak, who hails from Rankin Inlet, agrees that the broadcasts provide an opportunity to generate more interest in the language.
He will be providing color commentary alongside play-by-play caller David Ningeongan on the Inuktitut broadcasts. Kusugak and Ningeongan had previously commentated together for the Olympics, but being on HNIC is a different experience for them. The exposure on such a big stage signifies a demand for Inuktitut language programming in various fields, according to Kusugak.
The broadcasts also serve as a means to modernize and adapt the language, incorporating new terms related to sports like hockey. This helps in keeping the language relevant and applicable to people’s daily lives. Kusugak and Ningeongan speak different dialects, leading to slight variations in the terms they use, thus highlighting the diversity within the Inuktitut language.
Wood emphasizes the importance of reclaiming lost languages, especially for individuals like himself who had their language disrupted due to factors like residential schools. He shares his journey of reclaiming his Cree language and encourages others to find humor and laughter in their language learning process.
Kusugak credits his parents and family for instilling in him the importance of speaking Inuktitut at home. He expresses his excitement for the upcoming Inuktitut HNIC broadcast on APTN and hopes to see more Indigenous representation on mainstream broadcasts in the future.
Overall, the HNIC broadcasts in Indigenous languages provide a unique platform to showcase and preserve these languages, while also creating interest and awareness among viewers. It’s a significant step towards promoting linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Canada.
