A monumental moment in Inuit content took place this past Monday, Jan. 18, when Uvagut TV ("Our" TV), an all-Inuktut channel featuring Inuit-language and Inuit-produced programming – including a six hours of daily content from Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) – launched through Shaw Direct Satellite TV and Arctic Co-op.
IBC has been producing unique, award-winning Inuktitut language television since 1981.
IBC CEO Manitok Thompson said IBC's audience will finally be able to enjoy IBC’s wealth of content daily, helping to revitalize and strengthen Inuit language and culture immediately.
She said she believes that Inuit deserve to see these programs and that time has finally arrived.
“They have a right to hear Inuktitut in their homes and learn more about their ancestors,” said Thompson.
“Television is a tool parents and caregivers can use to help pass on the legacy their relatives left to them. Seeing their grandparents and great-grandparents on television will help our young people connect to their culture and language.
“It’s a gift our Elders have given us that must be passed on to the younger generation.”
IBC is providing programming to Uvagut TV without charge, while absorbing the costs internally at this time.
Residents in Nunavut, NWT, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavik who subscribe to Shaw Direct Satellite or Artic Co-op will be able to view the channel with a basic subscription. A live-stream of the channel also became available 24/7 at uvagut.tv on Jan. 18.
IBC programming can be viewed at the following times (EST):
- 6:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.: Takuginai Children’s Show
- 1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: IBC Prime — Archives, Takuginai
- 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Takuginai Children’s Show
- 8:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.: IBC Prime — Archives and other Programs.
Thompson added in a press release that IBC Prime will include selections from IBC’s extensive archives that date back to the late 1970s and early 1980s.
She said the archives chronicle the division of the territories, the creation of key national Inuit organizations, Inuit traditional knowledge before and after first contact, and the creation of Nunavut.
“Children in Nunavut will be able to watch award-winning Takuginai daily, just like their parents did, along with other programs including Inuit language musicians, hunting, community concerts, stories and legends, youth and cooking shows,” she added.
Correction: A previous version of this story was published indicating IBC was responsible for the launch of Uvagut TV. This is incorrect. Uvagut TV is Canada’s first 24/7 Inuktut television channel, created by Nunavut Independent Television Network (NITV) and IsumaTV. Kivalliq News regrets the error.