” Ullaakkut! The quality of communication by videoconference between Montreal and Nunavik is not constant, but the pride and good humor of Tunu Napartuk, Liberal candidate in Ungava, are very clear. His cheerful morning greeting in Inuktitut, his mother tongue, reflects this.
When he received a call from the Liberal Party earlier this year, the one who was mayor of Kuujjuaq from 2012 to 2018 did not hesitate to put on his colors.
“The Inuit do not want to separate from Canada. Quebec nationalism affects our connection with the southern government. The Liberal Party is a federalist, I have been for a long time. He can represent our needs,” he says in excellent French, his third language.
Tunu Napartuk has always had the impulse to represent his people. “I started in a student council at school to represent my class,” he says with a laugh. He then worked in the film industry, notably co-directing the documentary Ullumi, about development challenges for the Inuit.
“It was a way of giving our point of view, of saying who we are, here in Nunavik,” says the man with laughing eyes and a round face adorned with a mustache and goatee.
After four years working for the Kativik School Board, he feels ready to return to political life. “I feel that I can be elected and that I can represent my people well in Quebec,” he says. There is a disconnect between the current government and our realities. »
These realities are the glaring lack of housing, to the point that up to three generations of large families have to squeeze into small bungalows. It’s being forced to fly to receive a lot of medical care. It is food insecurity that plagues too many households. It is the fear of losing one’s language and culture.
“Law 96 will affect our ability to keep our identity,” said the candidate with a very calm voice. Being forced to learn a third language can have consequences. »
Climate change in the tundra is also of great concern to the father of the family, who has six children and a one-year-old grandson. “We see its effects from year to year. Changes to the environment greatly affect the animals needed as hunters and fishers. Without this connection to the environment, we wouldn’t be here today as a people,” he says with a worried air.
Another thing that has enabled Inuit to survive the hardships of the past decades is the strength of extended community and family ties. “I have to make sure that my grandson has a good quality of life,” argues the Liberal candidate.
And for that, it is time for a first Inuit deputy to enter the National Assembly, he believes, since many issues dear to him are within provincial jurisdiction. He says he has received enormous support in Nunavik since the announcement of his candidacy.
“I am going to send the message to the people of Nunavik and to the Crees: we have to go out to vote! This is an opportunity that we must not miss to finally make our voices heard. »