Ottawa to compensate Inuit in Nunavik for mass sled dog slaughter
The federal government has announced plans to provide financial compensation to the Inuit community in Nunavik for the tragic mass slaughter of their sled dogs that occurred decades ago. This devastating event took place during the mid-1950s and late 1960s, when over 1,000 sled dogs were shot to death by Mounties, employees of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and other authorities across the Inuit region of northern Quebec.
Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree has expressed his intention to travel to the region to issue a formal apology on behalf of the federal government for the slaughter. He is expected to make this trip before the end of the month. Anandasangaree emphasized the long-lasting impact of the slaughter, stating that it destroyed the way of life for the Inuit people and continues to affect them to this day.
Pita Aatami, president of the Makivvik Corporation, which represents the Inuit in Nunavik, initiated an investigation into the sled dog slaughter when he first learned about it in 1999. Aatami described the pain and loss experienced by the Inuit community as a result of the slaughter, highlighting the emotional toll it took on individuals and families.
The sled dogs were not mere pets but vital companions that the Inuit relied on for hunting and transportation for generations. Aatami revealed that the authorities justified the slaughter by citing safety concerns, but in reality, it was a deliberate effort to force the nomadic Inuit to settle in communities, leading to social and health issues as a result of losing their traditional way of life.
In 2011, the government of Quebec issued an apology for the slaughter and provided $3 million in compensation to former sled dog owners. However, the federal government had not offered compensation until now. Aatami expressed hope that the upcoming compensation from the federal government would bring closure to the painful trauma experienced by those affected by the slaughter.
The loss of the sled dogs had a profound impact on the independence and mobility of the Inuit people. Aatami recounted heartbreaking stories of families witnessing their beloved dogs being shot in front of them, leaving them devastated and unable to return to their traditional way of life. The Inuit community had to adapt to using snowmobiles for transportation, which were not as reliable or culturally significant as sled dogs.
Despite the challenges faced by the community, the Inuit in Nunavik have persevered and continue to maintain their cultural practices. Aatami mentioned that the families of individual sled dog owners are expected to receive compensation from the federal government, with a portion allocated for cultural programming to educate young people on caring for sled dogs.
The upcoming federal apology is seen as a significant step towards reconciliation and improving relations between the federal government and the Inuit community in Nunavik. Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past wrongs and working towards healing and positive collaboration for the future. This gesture of recognition and compensation is a crucial part of the healing process for the Inuit community affected by the sled dog slaughter.
