Past Series/ Special Programs

 

Inuit Mittatiin – That’s Funny!

Humour in the Inuit culture is as unique as the Arctic is in Canada. Primarily the foundation of Inuit humour has been identified as being community and relationship based. In small communities where everyone knows each other, knows the lay of the land and the idiosyncrasies of their small society, humour becomes very intimate. For example, Rebecca Veevee the host, tells a poignant story her in standup routine about feeling very rich today as opposed to how she felt as a young girl growing up Niqitsiat host Rebecca Veevee the host, tells a poignant story in her standup routine about feeling very rich today as opposed to how she felt as a young girl growing up on the land. The audience waits. She pulls out a roll of toilet paper and holds it up for all to see. Now I am rich she exclaims – now I have toilet paper. The audience dissolves into laughter. This comedy bit is about the intimate details of Inuit life in transition during the 50s. It brings the audience back to the feelings of those days and compares them to today where toilet paper is a basic and not restricted to “rich people”. This is also a gentle wink at non-Inuit audiences that may have preconceived images of Inuit life today and in the past.

Language: Inuit language and English and French subtitles.
Audience: General
Licensed by: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

 

Nunavut Inuit the evolving art of traditional Inuit entertainment

The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation has developed this 13-part series dedicated to seeking out and celebrating Inuit excellence in entertainment and the arts. It recognizes all forms of art and entertainment and the Inuit who consistently amaze and impress us. We show traditional clothing designs and their modern fashion counterparts that have wowed them on the runways in Europe. We visit homes and camps of the carvers who have made Inuit art famous all over the world. We race across the tundra with a winning dog team and then we’ll take the modern variation and try a ski-doo race. There are legends to be told and re-told with variations as subtle and complex as their hidden meanings by some of the best storytellers from the oral tradition. This series showcases the excellence in Inuit art and entertainment. Each episode follows one theme and great people from across Nunavut – Canada’s newest territory.

Language: Inuit language and English and French subtitles
Audience: General
Originally Licensed by: Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

 

Kikkik E1-472

During the 1950s famine in the Canadian Arctic, Kikkik, an Inuk woman, killed a man in self-defense and then found herself in the position of having to leave two of her five children on the tundra. She was tried for murder and criminal negligence and subsequently acquitted. Her daughter, Elisapee Karetak lives in Arviat, Nunavut and has spent many years tracing the events of her family’s story. Elisapee’s brothers and sisters as well as many members of the Inuit community who lived through the ordeal have wanted and needed to reveal their memories. Directed by Martin Kreelak, Kikkik E1-472 focuses on the impact to the Ahiarmiut community when they were relocated – the tragedy that led to the famine and the deaths at Henik Lake in the winter of 1958. Kikkik E1-472 unwraps the memory of the few surviving elders, and Elisapee’s siblings Annacatha and Karlak. A one-hour English version of KIKKIK was produced by Ole Gjerstad and Elisapee Karetak and broadcast in 2000 on WTN, garnering two Gemini Award nominations.

Language: Inuit language and English and French subtitles.
Audience: General
Rights Available.

 

Kiviuq’s Journey

Kiviuq is a legendary figure across the North. His stories are told in many ways in many dialects. The stories of Kiviuq hold Inuit tradition together. From Alaska to Greenland elders tell stories about Kiviu and his journey home from exile.

 

Igliniit

(In Inuktitut, igliniit refers to trails routinely travelled.)

 

Inukshuk Project

(Various content)

The Inuit Broadcasting Corporation was created from the Inukshuk Project – a federally sponsored experiment in the late 1970s. Rudimentary television production facilities were installed in 6 northern communities, and teams of newly recruited Inuit trainees began to learn the fundamentals of TV production. In 1980 the Inukshuk Project began broadcasting via the Anik B satellite from Iqaluit. The Inukshuk Project lasted eight months during which time broadcasting and teleconferencing, allowed Inuit in the NWT to see each other, discuss important issues and exchange information in our own language. The project also demonstrated that Inuit could successfully manage complex broadcasting projects and adapt sophisticated communications technology to meet their needs. In 1981, the CRTC granted a network television license to the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, and the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation was formed. After an initial period of production and consolidation, IBC aired its first program on January 11, 1982, at midnight, a ninety-minute special introducing the new network. IBC was dependent on access to timeslots designated by the CBC Northern Service.

 

Kippingujautiit (Things to Pass Time By)

This show entertains the audience with funny and interesting stories on traditional and contemporary Inuit way of life. Kippingujautiit features northern musical talent and coverage of games and special events. Kippingujautiit was the most popular Inuktitut language program from the audience survey conducted in 1992. Kippingujautiit is a half-hour program for the 16 to 60 year old age group.Kippingujautiit is produced and packaged in Iqaluit with segments provided by our other production centres. 1985 – 2009 approx.

Language: Inuktitut. (Close captioning in English)

 

Nunatinni (‘In My Home’)

Cultural program.

Nunatsiakmiut Community Television Society / Nunatsiakmiut Film Society

1975 launched in Frobisher Bay – the earliest Inuit filmmaking group Nunatsiakmiut (‘People From the Beautiful Land’). These are likely the same series.

 

Qaggiq (“Gathering Place”)

Current affairs program (refers to a large igloo built for the gathering of
several families).

 

Qaujisaut (To See, To Find Out)

This program is principally directed toward the Inuit youth, facing hard choices – caught between two cultures. It is entertaining, fast and fun. Up and coming young musical talent is promoted on Qaujisaut. Qaujisaut teaches young people important life skills as well as touching on timely health issues and covering stories important to today’s youth. Qaujisaut is interactive – in the past year we have added contest segments and a write-in/email segment. Qaujisaut is a half-hour program for the 13 to 15 year old age group. Qaujisaut is produced in Iqaluit with segments also being provided by our other centres.

Language: Inuktitut. (Close captioning in English)

 

Qimavvik

Igloolik cultural show including storytelling, hunting and sewing techniques, legends,language, igloo building, etc.

 

Takujuminaqtut/Takuyuminaqtut

Rankin Inlet production.

 

Takuyaksat

Baker Lake production – cultural, storytelling, hunting, sewing, legends.