Willie Adams, NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 first Inuk senator, says his appointment to the Order of Canada is an indication that the federal government is SA国际影视传媒渃oming aroundSA国际影视传媒� to the idea of Inuit language and cultural sovereignty.

AdamsSA国际影视传媒� greatest legacy has perhaps been his devotion to preserving and highlighting the use of Inuktitut, even advocating for the Inuit language after his initial Senate appointment in 1977 by then-prime minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.

Adams tells of being informally invited to meet the prime minister, who was the head of what was then the Department of Indian Affairs, in the PMSA国际影视传媒檚 hotel room during a brief visit to AdamsSA国际影视传媒� longtime home community of Rankin Inlet.

SA国际影视传媒淗e called me at home and asked me to come to his hotel room to SA国际影视传媒榙iscuss some things,SA国际影视传媒橲A国际影视传媒� recalls Adams, who will turn 90 in June.

Among the various topics relating to Inuit issues, Trudeau casually mentioned to Adams that he was SA国际影视传媒渓ooking for Inuit with political background to help with representation [in Ottawa].SA国际影视传媒� At the time, Adams was a working electrician and local politician SA国际影视传媒� an MLA and chairman for the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet.

SA国际影视传媒淚 said, SA国际影视传媒業 have an electrical business. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 going to be complicated if I go to the Senate,SA国际影视传媒� Adams recalls as his response to the PMSA国际影视传媒檚 request.

However, Adams ultimately accepted the offer. He arrived in the Senate at a time when Inuktitut was not spoken or a recognized language in Parliament. All that changed under his direction.

SA国际影视传媒淚f we wanted a translation, we would have to wait two weeks!,SA国际影视传媒� he recalled. SA国际影视传媒淭he leader of the opposition couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 understand what we were talking about. Dennis Patterson [AdamsSA国际影视传媒� successor] had to translate.SA国际影视传媒�

The Nunavut senator persisted and succeeded in having Inuktitut accepted as an official language in Parliament.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 the right thing to do. And NTI (Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated) is helping push forward the [continued use and development of Inuktitut]. [Inuit] are talking in their own language in the Chamber now [in the legislative assembly].SA国际影视传媒�

Firearms concerns

Adams was also greatly concerned about proposed firearms legislation before he retired from the Senate in 2009.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 typical that [southerners] donSA国际影视传媒檛 like Inuit using guns,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He also points to the continued abuse of alcohol and drugs as a concern for both Inuit and policy-makers when it came to firearms legislation.

SA国际影视传媒淧eople with families were being shot,SA国际影视传媒� Adams said of the concerns that went into the formation of what is todaySA国际影视传媒檚 national law on firearms. SA国际影视传媒淲e couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 vote against [the restrictive firearm legislation in 1995]. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 kind of difficult [now]. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 know how much can be changed.SA国际影视传媒�

According to Dennis Patterson, SA国际影视传媒淭he Firearms Act of 1995 was very controversial because it required everyone to register to purchase a firearm or ammunition, and also strictly prohibited the giving or sharing of firearms. The act was seen to be prejudicial to Indigenous hunters because it required a licence to purchase a rifle or ammunitionSA国际影视传媒� it was passed after the LSA国际影视传媒橢cole Polytechnique massacre.

SA国际影视传媒淭his was seen as a threat to Inuit hunters, who until then never required a licence to purchase a firearm or ammunition, and it was seen as interfering with their subsistence right to hunt as protected by Section 35 of the Constitution of CanadaSA国际影视传媒� The [firearms] bill established a very controversial gun registry, which was very costly and seen to be an invasion of privacy. It ended up being abolished under Prime Minister Stephen Harper.SA国际影视传媒�

In terms of developing the territory for opportunities that come with mining, Adams is personally affected by having three of his grandchildren benefitting from regular employment through mining operations in Rankin Inlet.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 helping lots, opening up Rankin and some of the municipalities,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淩ankin is booming and people want to move there. It provides employment and good jobsSA国际影视传媒� but we havenSA国际影视传媒檛 been allowed autonomy yet. In the meantime, mining companies want 60 per cent [share of the profits]. The Inuit should have control of this money. We need regulations to pass to help the Inuit. TheySA国际影视传媒檙e the ones living on the land for 1,000 years. We have to use everything on our land that weSA国际影视传媒檝e never used before.SA国际影视传媒�

Adams said it is with humility that he accepts the Order of Canada SA国际影视传媒� his appointment was announced in December SA国际影视传媒� and he dedicates the honour to his fellow Inuit.