The idea to start Nunatsiavut Stories began when reading recommendations in reports from previous annual Nunatsiavut Heritage Forums (2016, 2014 & 2013). Among the recommendations, there was a consistent message that there needs to be more elder involvement in heritage-related programming in the region. The plan for the Nunatsiavut Stories website is to feature people of Nunatsiavut through a variety of digital media platforms, including audio recordings, video and photographs. This connects the Nunatsiavut Government’s (NG) current heritage programming to the activities of the former Torngâsok Cultural Centre, which was regularly conducting interviews with Nunatsiavummiut, and particularly elders, prior to the establishment of the NG.
This work is in response to the expressed wishes and needs of Labrador Inuit, and it will help to ensure that oral history is preserved for future generations and that local stories continue to be an important part of Nunatsiavut’s rich heritage.