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Egalitarianism Invented
The term "egalitarian society" comes from the French word "egal," which means "equal." Although the similar term "equalitarian" originated from the late 18th century, it was first used in English in the 1880s. As a political ideology, egalitarianism can be characterized as a doctrine that regards all people as morally equal, thereby guaranteeing them equal rights and opportunities -
Inuit Life
"To be human is to undertake an implicit obligation to conduct the various kinds of work that is traditionally associated with one's gender and to perform that work for the benefit of members of the opposite gender," according to the Inuit. While men hunted, women took care of the home. They collaborated well, seeing each other's work as a form of dedication to one another. Family cooperation was essential for survival as well as the formation of identity and culture -
Political Organization
Inuit began organizing politically in the late 1960s and early 1970s in opposition to assimilation policies and government limitations on traditional territories. In 1971, a group of Inuit people created Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami or ITK (then known as Inuit Tapirisat of Canada) to campaign effectively for land claims, Indigenous rights, and self-government -
Project Surname
In the 1970s, Canadian authorities launched Project Surname, which aimed to introduce family surnames to the Arctic in order to better administrate the region
The operation was rushed, and there were so many errors in providing birth certificates that many Inuit became confused and worried that they were losing their identity -
Project Surname cont'd
The Canadian government established permanent coastal communities to enhance living standards, "civilize" the Inuit, and better manage social services, and the Inuit were forced to dwell in these government-created villages. The new towns were significantly larger than the largest traditional social units known to the Inuit, namely the winter camp. Traditional leadership and social control were unprepared for these circumstances. As a result, social life was significantly affected -
Election Process
The Nunavut Implementation Committee proposed in 1997 that Nunavut's future election process should use a two-member constituency system, with one woman and one male elected from each constituency (Nunavut Implementation Commission 1995). A non-binding plebiscite was held on the topic, which received a 57 percent negative vote. Nunavut became a one-member district system in 1999, with 19 seats and no gender restrictions. In 2004, only two women were elected (Elections Nunavut 2004) -
Modern Day
Despite the Inuit's adaptations over the last three centuries and the loss of some traditional traits, Inuit culture continues to thrive - often with a stronger sense of reflection. Language, familial and cultural laws, attitudes and behavior, and much-lauded Inuit art all contribute to Inuit cultural identity