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Peter IttinuarCanadian politician
Date of Birth: 19.01.1950
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Peter Ittinuar: The First Inuit Member of Canadian Parliament
- Broadcasting and Political Beginnings
- Parliament and Party Affiliations
- Unsuccessful Candidacies and Political Struggles
- Legal Troubles and Advocacy
- Colonial Experiment and Its Impact
- Documentary Film and Legacy
Peter Ittinuar: The First Inuit Member of Canadian Parliament
Early Life and EducationPeter Ittinuar, born into a Danish-Inuit family, is the grandson of explorer Peter Freuchen. He pursued higher education at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Inuit culture and the Inuktitut language.
Broadcasting and Political Beginnings
Prior to politics, Ittinuar served as a broadcaster for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and editor of _Inuit Today_. In 1979, the new electoral district of Nunatsiak (now Nunavut) was created, and Ittinuar became the first Inuit elected to the Canadian Parliament as a New Democratic Party candidate.
Parliament and Party Affiliations
Ittinuuar's Liberal Party leanings emerged in 1982 when he switched allegiance in opposition to the Liberal government's plans for dividing the Northwest Territories. He remained a Liberal Party member from 1982 to 1984.
Unsuccessful Candidacies and Political Struggles
Ittinuuar unsuccessfully ran for Parliament twice more, as an independent in 1984 and as a Green Party candidate in 2008. In 1993, his attempt to run for the New Democratic Party was denied due to his prior affiliation with the Liberals.
Legal Troubles and Advocacy
Ittinuuar has had legal issues, including drug possession in 1979 and assault against his wife in 1986. Despite these challenges, he held leadership positions within the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, advocating for the rights and self-determination of the Inuit.
Colonial Experiment and Its Impact
As a young man, Ittinuar was subjected to a controversial colonial experiment in the early 1960s. He and two other Inuit boys were sent to Ottawa for education, separated from their families and integrated into white society. This experiment left a lasting impact on him and his subsequent political activism.
Documentary Film and Legacy
In 2009, Ittinuar produced a documentary titled _The Experimental Eskimos_, examining the colonial experiment and its consequences for the participants. His contributions to Indigenous rights and the creation of Nunavut remain significant.
