Speeches by Theresie
Yours... Mine... Ours
©
Theresie Tungilik
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Speech given at Canadian Center for Management Development,
Ottawa Ontario. August 1997.
Today I want to talk about being a part of a generation that is on the spotlight. Today my heart sings with joy and pride. I look at my surroundings and I see people anxious and proud to be a part of creating a new territory, Nunavut. We are truly a group of people involved in a great transition period of time and history.
We are already on the path and there is no turning back! Together we shall trample and pave the way now, for the future and in memory of the past.
We need everyone for their support, encouragement, discipline, pride and our triumph.
Our regrets can remind us to do better.
There is nothing wrong with looking back. Our elders are our gateway to the present and past history. The middle age are fortunate to know two languages, they are responsible for bridging the gaps. Young people have a great responsibility to learn from us and our elders. The little children need our sturdy hands. They are easily happy, fun, loving and ever so curious. It is they that make the world go round.
All of us in Nunavut are walking towards self governing. We need to focus our energy, not just creating a Nunavut government, but include the best interest of the residence of Nunavut. We can do it. We just need everyone's involvement.
There will be difficult and hard times to that we will need too cope and deal with. We cannot give up. Only a few people working hard will not be as rewarding without your help.
Let's follow one of our ancestors rule they abided by. The road to personal success: To satisfy oneself, you had to be considerate, caring, not miserable, understanding, helping and loving others. Let's carry on the carry on the tradition.
We will have to be united in our effort to be strong in all we do. Nunavut will have lots to offer, but it will be up to us to carry it out.
There are expectations of us to be courageous, responsible, accountable, smart, ambitious, and determined. We can accomplish these expectations, with one another help, the young, the old and the new alike.
Everything our ancestors did in respect to wildlife, land, water and humankind made them the most successful people. Each and every one of us are gifted, we have to use it wisely.
Needless to say, when we are self governing, our services will be appropriate to the needs. Feel at home, we are just re-arranging the furniture for now. Our dreams are becoming true, shine and prosper.
If things seem to be going down hill, you are the one that can make a difference and make it better. Like a captain, your directions can lead us to our destination.
For the people of Nunavut, we shall walk the path together. Our determinations and actions will be the result of how Nunavut will be.
We want to live in peace, harmony and among human kindness successfully.
An Inuit philosophy states if you have more than what you need, share with those who need it the most.
"Greed" was a rare vocabulary used in the old days. Today when we are are part of decision makers, we cannot afford to be narrow minded. Thus too, we were often reminded that wickedness came to haunt you in different forms.
From today on, we must start polishing, for the polishing to be done by April 1, 1999. Nunavut, what a land!
These are the words I'm sure my parents would say to you if they were here with you today with great compassion.
©
Theresie Tungilik
Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada
Speech given at Canadian Center for Management Development,
Ottawa Ontario. August 1997.
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