Inuktitut Urkausiliriniq

Inuktitut is not just the name for the language of the indigenous peoples of the Eastern Arctic. It also means “like one of the Inuit” in that language, reflecting not only how one speaks, but also the culture, attitudes, lifestyle, and behaviors of Inuit peoples: Inuktitut is a way of life. Inuktitut the language is listed in UNESCO’s Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger as “vulnerable,” which is defined as “children not speaking the language outside of the home.” Institution-wide, the Smithsonian strives to preserve and help endangered languages flourish through projects like Recovering Voices and close partnership with indigenous peoples. Collecting curriculum materials like Inuktitut Urkausiliriniq, devoted to fostering the love of native languages in school environments, is just one way Smithsonian Libraries contributes to efforts to honor indigenous languages and ways of life.