Cultural Resource Consultants

Inuit Resource/Cultural Consultants

Since the creation of Canada in 1867, the Canadian federal government has developed many policies to get rid of Nunnaqqaqsimajut/Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Metis) ways of being, traditions, language, culture, customs, etc. The relationship between Canada and Nunnaqqaqsimajut has a deep and dark history. As a result of this, in the recent years, Canada has made space to reconcile its relationship with Nunnaqqaqsimajulimat.

Since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report (TRC) was acknowledged by the federal government in 2015, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Act in 2021; many agencies, governing bodies, institutions, etc. have acknowledged the great need to prioritize Nunnaqqaqsimajut to tell their own stories, history and pass down their teachings. Many Nunnaqqaqsimajut find themselves today to be overworked and underpaid by organizations requesting Nunnaqqaqsimajut teachings and lived experiences. Specifically, many Inuit who participate in these engagements that are known to one organization become the primary individual for many orgs., and of course, this leads to an individual to carry the burden of being tokenized, overworked, underpaid, and their very being to be minimized even when this is not the intention.

Inuit ontology is incredibly unique from any other peoples in the world. Inuit history, teachings, beliefs, values, culture, language, and lived experiences cannot be acquired through textbooks or other means of extracting knowledge. It can only be acquired by their inherent lived experiences. With this, it is important for us as a nation to honour and acknowledge the very uniqueness of who and what Inuit are, and how they pass down many generations worth of knowledge.

It is important to consider that Canada has been built on Nunnaqqaqsimajut innate ancestral lands when asking for [them] to share their knowledge, lived experiences, and/or teachings. It is important for us as a nation to acknowledge and appropriately compensate for what was trying to get rid of for over 150 years. Nunnaqqaqsimajut, and more specifically, what Inuit offer is priceless when it comes to what they can offer us as a collective.

Standardized Table of Honorarium Fees

For Inuit Cultural/Resource Consultants

Please take the initiative to consider the following when working with Inuit.

When working with Nunnaqqaqsimaut, and more specifically Inuit, it is important to acknowledge and honour what it has taken many generations to pass down knowledge and to be who and where they are today. Especially given that Canada has a long-standing history of trying to eradicate Nunnaqqaqsimaut ways of being, cultural, traditions, language and so on. We must acknowledge that we are all on the ancestral lands that were once stewarded by a resilient nation that has taken an unbelievable amount of effort to keep their ways of being and knowing ongoing for the next generation.

When working with Inuit and more specifically Elders, it is important to take the initiative to discuss an honorarium in a good way. It is your responsibility as someone who has requested an Inuk to share themselves to ensure [they] thoroughly understand the process of transaction of the honorarium and that you provide payment in a timely matter. As well, in building a good relationship, ask what they may need to meet your requests. Will they require transportation, accommodation, parking, food, or water during their visit? Remember, you are the one requesting this individual because they are the experts in your requested subject matter, please always show respect. It is your responsibility to build a good relationship with your invited guest and to get to know their preferences.

It is also important to consider that Inuit were living fully off the land just 50–60 years ago and Inuktitut (Inuit language) in still very much prominently spoken by many Inuit. With that, having an invoice (when needed) ready for signature for your invited guest would be beneficial to all. Also, when possible, ask what the preferred method of payment is, email money transfer (EMT), cheque, or cash. Please remember that Inuit knowledge, teachings, ways of being, and ingenuity are priceless as it has taken a tremendous amount of effect to keep it.

Elder Specific Cultural/Resource Consultant

ActivityRequest DetailsBenefitsRecommended Honoraria
Qulliq Lighting/Prayer (please discuss time allocation needed)A prayer of blessing for an event/ceremony.Provides traditional blessings to ensure things start or end in a good way.$450
Brief Presentation or speechTo speak and/or teach on a specific topic that they have knowledge of.Provides traditional information and/or knowledge.$250
Cultural InstructionRequesting in-depth instruction of Inuit culture, traditions, sewing, carving, tool making, drum making, etc.Having a cultural instructor providing an in-depth history and/or meaningful awareness of cultural activities.$250/hr
Public SpeakingRequesting public speaking on a specific topic.Having an Elder speaks on a specific topic to an audience of their own experiences and/or ways of being$500
Keynote SpeakingRequesting a keynote speech at an event.Having an Elder speak on their unique experiences, ways of being, teachings, etc. $1500
MentorExpertise related to Inuit knowledge systems and/or ways of being.Provides authentic Inuit-centred direction, support, and instruction.$150/hr
PerformanceRequesting a drum, singing, or throat singing performanceProvides traditional song(s) for events/ceremonies$300
Half Day PresenceUp to 3 hrs presenceProvides Elder to be present for/during events/ceremonies$350
Full Day PresenceUp to 6 hrs presenceProvides Elder to be present for/during events/ceremonies$750
Elder HelpRequesting a support person to assist the Elder to ensure their health and well-beingThe Elder feels safe, arrive without incident, to assist the elder in order to provide the requested services$75/hr

General Inuit Cultural/Resource Consultant

ActivityRequest DetailsBenefitsRecommended Honoraria
Presentation/teachingTo speak on a specific topic that they have knowledge of.Provides traditional information and/or knowledge.$150
Cultural InstructionRequesting in-depth instruction of Inuit culture, traditions, sewing, carving, tool making, drum making, etc.Having a cultural instructor providing an in-depth history and or meaningful awareness of cultural activities.$150
Public SpeakingRequesting public speaking on a specific topic.Having someone speak on a specific topic to an audience.$300
Keynote SpeakingRequesting a keynote speech at an event.Having someone speak on their unique experiences, ways of being, teachings, etc. $750
MentorExpertise related to Inuit knowledge systems and/or ways of being.Provides authentic Inuit-centred direction, support, and instruction.$75
PerformanceRequesting a drum, singing, or throat singing performanceProvides traditional song(s) for events/ceremonies$150/person
Half Day PresenceUp to 3 hrs presenceProvides someone to be present for/during events/ceremonies$250
Full Day PresenceUp to 6 hrs presenceProvides someone to be present for/during events/ceremonies$500

General Translation/Interpretation Fee $150/hr