The Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Adventure

Environmental Justice: ‘Pijariiqpunga*’

In Inuit culture, each person has an isuma, which is a sacred mindset.

One must not interrupt a speaker until the speaker indicates that they have put across all that they wanted to contribute. Even if all they wanted to contribute was thoughtful silence, all must listen, respect and wait their turn.

The speaker declares “pijariiqpunga” when they have finished and now someone else can take their turn at sharing an opinion*

- Rachel Attituq Qitsualik

*Nunavut ’99. Living With Change. 10 Feb 2007.
Source: http://www.nunavut.com/nunavut99/english/change.html