Frequently Asked Questions.

General

  • Saliqmiut is the vessel that holds the past, present and future of this place and of this people; it represents not only preservation but perpetuation of the richness of Inuvialuit language, arts and culture and welcomes the world inside – to learn, to know, to understand and to support this important part of Canadian heritage.

  • The world will benefit from learning about Saliqmiut culture – the deep lessons of perseverance, of survival over several millennia, of a people who continue to celebrate their place in time with a prolific flow of artistic expression.

  • Saliqmiut are the Inuvialuit of this place on the Arctic Ocean: Tuktoyaktuk.

  • In Inuvialuktun, Saliqmiut means “people along the coast, at the edge”, a reference to where the people of Tuktoyaktuk live.

  • The Board and the management of the Centre are committed to the foundational purpose of Saliqmiut: to preserve, perpetuate and celebrate Saliqmiut and Inuvialuit culture, now and for always.

Fundraising/Project Timeline

  • The goal for completion of Saliqmiut is 2025.

  • $20,000,000

  • Saliqmiut is already being supported by the Government of Canada through CIRNAC, by Parks Canada Agency, and by CanNor, as well as support by the Government of the Northwest Territories and by Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation. Other funding is being sourced through Inuvialuit Regional Corporation and other federal agencies supporting cultural and economic development through arts education and tourism.

  • A schematic design has been selected that meets the architectural, operating and community vision and will be refined as funding is available.

  • Yes, the site is at the entrance to the hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk.

  • Tuktoyaktuk is synonymous with Saliqmiut. Saliqmiut is not only the name of the new Tuktuuyaqtuuq Centre for Arts and Culture, but it is the name of the people of this place, of Tuktoyaktuk, and will represent the broader Inuvialuit culture of the Beaufort Delta and Western Arctic Region.

  • The founding members are a small group of community members with deep commitment, cultural knowledge, community respect, and decades-long volunteerism. As the project progresses, more professionals and local community members will be invited to join.

Programming

  • Saliqmiut: Tuktuuyaqtuuq Centre for Arts and Culture will be the catalyst for engaging local and visiting youth in the arts and in arts education with the participation and mentorship of the community of highly accomplished artists in the Beaufort Delta and Western Arctic Region. Saliqmiut will be a centre for leadership, for the transfer of traditional knowledge from Elders to youth, and an important gathering place for sharing and perpetuating culture.

  • Saliqmiut will offer seasonal programming in educational, performance, art shows, workshops and interpretive demonstrations throughout the year. The main focus will be in arts education and programming for the performing arts, including drum dancing, singing, theatre arts, film making, installation art and interpretive storytelling and will also include courses, workshops and demonstrations in carving, parka and other traditional sewing with cloth and fur, beadwork, printmaking, photography, painting, sculpture and digital media. The centre will also offer education and programming in the traditional culinary arts.

  • Everyone! Saliqmiut is an inclusive centre, welcoming local community members plus local, regional, territorial, Canadian and international students, instructors and visitors who wish to engage in educational programming, take in an exhibit or performance, stay in the hostel accommodations, eat in the café, shop in the gallery and gift shop, watch an arts demonstration, visit the Parks Canada Agency desk or stop by the Visitors Centre – or simply take refuge in the warm, welcoming spaces and amenities that Saliqmiut will offer to the world.

  • Saliqmiut is unique in that several revenue generating operations have been included in the operating model and physical design of the centre: the two largest revenue generators are the leased office spaces and meetings rooms in the office wing, and the upscale ‘hostel’ style guest rooms available for visiting students in the winter months and leisure and business travellers at other times of the year; these revenues are supplemented by admission tickets for exhibitions and performances, by venue rentals for special events, by gift and arts sales and by food and beverage sales in the café.

  • Saliqmiut will be managed and curated by a senior team of professionals with experience in arts organisation, educational facilities and hospitality facilities operations. This senior team will mentor local community members who wish to be employed in the many roles that will be available at Saliqmiut.