Thèses Dissertations

This dissertation presents data from an archaeological survey and oral history project conducted on Nelson Island (Alaska) in 1983 and 1984. Located in western Alaska along the Bering Sea coast and geographically isolated, the Qaluyaarmiut (Yupiit of Qaluyaaq) of Nelson Island, continued a traditional way of life well into the 20th century. During the 1900s and 1910s, they lived in underground sod houses, they seasonally migrated between villages and camps, travelling by kayak, skin boat, and dogsled, and they fished and hunted the open streams and the Bering Sea coast to provide a living for their families. This dissertation discusses 47 habitation sites and the oral histories associated with the settlements, which include 84 taped interviews with 43 Nelson Island Yupiit elders. Specifically, it focuses on the traditional seasonal settlement patterns of the Nelson Island Yupiit and the variables affecting the types of settlements and the resources used. The oral histories give additional information that goes beyond what archaeology alone can provide. Cette thèse présente les données d’une reconnaissance archéologique et d’un projet d’histoire orale menés à Nelson Island (Alaska) en 1983 et 1984. Localisés dans l’ouest de l’Alaska, le long de la côte de la mer de Béring et géographiquement isolés, les Qaluyaarmiut (Yupiit de Qaluyaaq) de Nelson Island continuèrent d’avoir un mode de vie traditionnel jusqu’au 20e siècle. Durant les années 1900 et 1910, ils vivaient dans des maisons de tourbe semi-souterraines; ils migraient saisonnièrement entre villages et camps, voyageant en kayak, bateau en peaux et traîneau à chiens; et ils pêchaient et chassaient le long des rivières et sur la côte de la mer de Béring pour nourrir leur familles. Cette thèse examine 47 sites d’habitation et les histoires orales associées à ces villages. En tout, 84 entrevues furent enregistrées avec 43 aînés yupiit de Nelson Island. L’étude se concentre spécifiquement sur les modes d’établissements traditionnels des Yupiit de Nelson Island et les variables affectant les types d’établissements et les ressources utilisées. De plus, les histoires orales concernant les sites viennent enrichir les interprétations bien au-delà de ce que l’archéologie laissait entrevoir. This descriptive case study explores Inuit visions for schooling in a remote community in the Qikiqtani (formerly Baffin) Region of Nunavut. I use information from interviews, casual conversations, observations, and a review of the literature on minority and cross-cultural education to describe what participants want, discuss obstacles to student learning, and suggest ways to improve schooling in Nunavut. The research critically examines power relations and is meant to help explain change. Data came primarily from semi-structured interviews with 74 Inuit adults, and were contextualised by two years of teaching Grade 7 in this community in the late 1990s. Findings echo descriptions of what Inuit participants wanted from schooling during the Sivuniksamut Ilinniarniq consultations and the Nunavut Education Act consultations. Participants supported schooling and wanted an increase in Inuit knowledge and skills taught in (and outside) the schools. In the schools, they wanted an increase in, or strengthening of, Inuktitut, meaningful inclusion of elders, and higher academic standards. Participants described a number of obstacles to student achievement, and no one theory can explain the failings of Nunavut schools. Many concerns identified in the literature on schools that underserve Aboriginal and minority students are discussed. These include culturally incongruent pedagogy, a weak connection between school and work, prejudice from non-Inuit, and disempowering relations between the school system and the community. Eurocentric thinking in the schools, the school system, and Canada continues to block the creation of schools that work for Inuit. The Government of Canada must provide funding to help transform Nunavut schooling into a system based …