Understanding Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ)

UNDERSTANDING INUIT QAUJIMAJATUQANGIT (IQ)

Grade Level

This lesson plan is designed to be used with students ages 12 and up.

Objective

Students will discuss the meaning of IQ and how it relates to Inuit life. In
small groups, students will be assigned one of the six guiding principles of
IQ. Students will create a short skit showing how the principle selected could
be applied to their everyday life and will perform it for the class.

Estimated Time Needed

2 class periods.

Material

Six founding principles of IQ (included in PDF) and their definitions (each
on a separate strip of paper) and written on chart paper or overhead projector.

Activity

1. Break students into small groups. Ask them to reflect on their lives and
   those of their family. What are some of the core values by which they try
   to live? As students share values, list them on the board.
2. Ask students to think of ways the values listed translate into their everyday
   life. Have them share examples.
3. Write Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit on the board. (Pronunce: Khao-yee-muh-yah-tut-khang-geet)
   Explain that IQ refers to the Inuit way of doing things, the Inuit way of
   life. “IQ embraces all aspects of traditional Inuit culture including
   values, worldview, language, social organization, knowledge, life skills,
   perceptions and expectations” (Nunavut Social Development Council, 1999).
   IQ is the wisdom passed on from generation to generation, gained from experience
   and values of Inuit society.
4. Explain there are six guiding principles that support IQ. Have six principles
   already written on chart paper and share with students.
5. Ask students why they think it is important to stress the value of IQ and
   its guiding principles in Inuit life. What is the significance of living by
   a set of core values? (increase self-esteem, decrease social problems such
   as substance abuse and suicide, restore Inuit pride).
6. Break students into six groups. Explain that each group is going to choose
   one of the principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ). Students are to discuss
   the principle they choose and brainstorm situations in their everyday lives
   to which the principle could be applied. Students will choose one situation
   from their brainstormed list and create a skit showing how their principle
   could be applied to the life of an average teenager.
7. Allow students time to develop/practice their skits.

Evaluation

When students are ready, have them share their skits with each other. First,
students should write the principle of IQ to which they were assigned on the
board.

Following each skit, discuss situation shared. What other ways could the principle
be applied to students’ everyday lives?