The partnership was founded in equal participation by the two organizations and is meant to create a meaningful exchange of knowledge, a place where academic curiosity and the knowledge of lived experience of the Labrador Inuit meet to address the present and future needs of Nunatsiavut.
2015 marked the ten-year anniversary of Nunatsiavut achieving self-governance. It was a point of celebration, self-reflection, and a chance to look to the future of Nunatsiavut as a society. The Tradition & Transition Partnership was forged as a means to help Labrador Inuit find within a deeper understanding of their own cultural traditions, and use that understanding to help sustain Inuit values in the face of a rapidly changing world.
Researchers from Memorial and other universities have been collaborating with Labrador Inuit for decades across many fields. Tradition & Transition is not only a continuation of this work, but it is an evolution, as researchers take the next steps to create meaningful relationships in order to better understand the Labrador Inuit identity. The research generated will not only create greater academic understanding but will help the Labrador Inuit to strengthen their own Indigenous self-governance.
Whether it’s exploring the ‘deep history’ of Nunatsiavut’s archeological resources, or creating an Inuktitut children’s book series, the main goal of the Tradition & Transition Partnership is to build lasting connections between generations of Inuit and academics working in Nunatsiavut. Elders, youth, senior researchers, and graduate students all work together under a common goal, to better understand and help strengthen Labrador Inuit culture, identity, and leadership. Adventure Canada is proud to assist in spreading this knowledge by providing logistical, monetary, and manpower support to the Tradition and Transition team.