Following a slight delay, the National Inuit Youth Summit (NIYS) is now underway.
The summit started yesterday, and is scheduled to run until Friday, August 4 at the Jeremiah Sillett Community Centre in Nain, NL.
It is organized by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the National Inuit Youth Council (NIYC).
According to the ITK website, the purpose of the summit is to have Inuit youth discuss issues of mutual importance, learn leadership skills, build cultural connections, and determine the priorities of the NIYC.
The start of the event was delayed until yesterday afternoon at about 2:30 pm due to poor weather conditions on the coast.
Anna Claire Ryan of ITK says that several dignitaries presented speeches yesterday, including Nunatsiavut Government President Johannes Lampe, Nain AngajukKâk Joe Dicker, Federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett, and Labrador MP Yvonne Jones.
ITK President Natan Obed delivered the keynote speech, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent a video welcoming the youth to the summit.
The musical duo Twin Flames delivered an inspirational talk and sang a few songs.
The evening featured a bonfire near the JS Centre.
Ryan adds that approximately 100 youth are attending the summit, and everyone has now made it to the event.
Meanwhile, the community feast has been moved to the evening of Thursday, August 3.