OTTAWA, ON – May 5, 2023. To mark the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People, Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is unveiling the Red Amautiit Project. This project honours the lives and legacies of Missing and Murdered Inuit Women, Girls and Gender-Diverse Inuit and raises awareness of the ongoing violence these groups face.
An amauti is a traditional Inuk woman’s parka fitted with a hood for carrying infants. Amautiit have been made and used for centuries, and for many, the skill and knowledge of sewing an amauti are passed down from generation to generation. The red amauti has become a symbol of remembrance of the many Inuit women and children who have been lost.
The Red Amautiit Project features five handmade Amautiit, four regionally distinct pieces and one statement piece that complements the others by honouring the Elders and the sharing of traditional knowledge. Each piece was handmade by an Inuk seamstress from the region she represents.
“With this project, we pay tribute to our loved ones while encouraging everyone to recognize the cycle of violence against Inuit women, girls and gender-diverse individuals that continues today,” said Gerri Sharpe, President of Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada. “The Red Amautiit are striking, and we hope when people see them, they will remember lives lost and commit to working together to end violence across the country.”
Visit the Red Amautiit Project webpage here to learn more about the project, the seamstresses, and their creation process. The goal is to see the collection on display in cultural centres across Inuit Nunangat and Inuit Nunangit (urban). On May 5, Pauktuutit will preview the project at the Library in Iqaluit as part of the Commemorative Gathering from 4 – 6 pm. The entire collection will be displayed in the Legislative Assembly in Iqaluit during the Spring Sitting, beginning May 24.
Pauktuutit has been at the forefront of raising awareness of the inequities faced by Inuit women. We are calling on all levels of government to take meaningful action to address the systemic conditions that continue to impact the lives of women, girls, and gender-diverse Inuit. After all, tangible progress is the best way to honour the lives lost to gender violence.
Healing work must be led by Inuit women and use an Inuit-specific, gender-based lens to be culturally appropriate and meaningful. Greater investments in violence and abuse prevention, new Inuit shelters and second-stage housing for women fleeing violence, and increased support for gendered and culturally appropriate healthcare are among Pauktuutit’s top priorities.
For more information, please consult the National Inuit Action Plan.
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Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mission is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women and to encourage their participation in community, regional, and national concerns in relation to social, cultural, and economic development.
Media contact: communications@pauktuutit.ca.