Inuktitut Speak-Off Results

The Seventh Annual Inuktitut Speak-Off took place last evening in Nain at the Jens Haven Memorial school gymnasium.

Eight students participated in the event, two from four Inuktitut speaking communities along the coast.

Joan Dicker is the Inuktitut teacher for grades 4-12 at Jens Haven.

She says the Speak-Off started off with an opening prayer in Inuktitut by Chaim Andersen and Brianna Brown.

That was then followed by the JHMS Brass Band, they performed a hymn called ‘Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus’.

Dicker adds that Fran Williams and Nain AngajukKâk, Sarah Erickson were the guest speakers for the event.

The standings for the Speak-Off along with topics they discussed are as follows:

First place went to Mary (Binky) Andersen of JHMS; she spoke about her life and the challenges she faces. She won a laptop and a carving donated by the Nain Inuit Community Government.

Alicia Dicker came in second. Her speech was about the traditional religious celebrations. She won an iPod.

And last but not least, Germaine Onalik won $50 for 3rd place, her speech was about her last year in school, as well as her very first Inuktitut Speak-Off.

She says they will also be presented with plaques once they arrive.

Dicker says the audience gave a standing ovation for the students, she also adds that they done an excellent job.


She says the event closed off with the Community Brass Band performing the hymn ‘Jesus Tessiunga’.

We contacted Fran Williams, who was a guest speaker and judge for the Speak-Off to get more information...