Titiraliritti, the Nunavut Literary Prize is an initiative of the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth. It is an annual prize to encourage the writing and publishing of new literature in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. This year, there will be a total of six winners, two from each of the Kitikmeot, Kivalliq and Qikiqtaaluk regions. The first prize for each region is $3,500 and the second prize is $1,500.

Eligibility Criteria

• Authors of any age currently residing in Nunavut.
• Literature submitted for consideration must be unpublished and written in Inuktitut or Inuinnaqtun.
• Literature may be submitted only once for the prize.
• Elders who are unable to write can team up with someone to enter the contest. In this case, both the elder and the person who assisted would share the prize.
• A writer can also team up with an elder to help write a story. In this case, the elder’s help must be acknowledged on the submission form and both the writer and the elder who assisted would share the prize.
• A maximum of two people can enter a single submission.

This year’s theme: Legends

This year, we’re looking for Inuit legends in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. Stories should be creative and as original as possible. The legends should convey a lesson or a moral value.

Submission Procedure & Closing Date

To be considered for the 2006 Nunavut Literary Prize, writers must:

• Submit a copy of their work with a submission form to Tocasie Burke at the Department Culture, Language, Elders and Youth by October 31, 2005 at 5:00pm EST (Iqaluit time).
• Submissions must be on 8 ½” x 11” blank or lined paper.
• No grid paper / coil bound paper.
• Writing should appear on one side of the page only.
• Pages must be numbered.
• Submissions must be typed, or hand written in blue or black ink.
• If submissions are faxed or e-mailed, originals must be sent by mail to:
  
  Titiraliritti! The Nunavut Literary Prize
  c/o Manager of Inuktitut Affairs
  Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth
  P.O. Box 1000, Station 800
  Iqaluit, NU X0A 0H0
  
  

Selection Process

The Manager of Inuktitut Affairs for the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth will appoint a panel of judges from each region. The judges will review all eligible submissions and select the first and second prize winners from each region. Factors to be considered will include sophisticated vocabulary, writing style and creativity of story telling, as well as the story’s moral value and the rarity of the legend.

Announcement of Winners

The names of the six prize winners will be announced by the Minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth during Uqausirmut Quviasuutiqangniq (Inuit Language Week) in February 2006.

Further Information please contact:

Tocasie Burke
Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth
Telephone (867) 975-5528
Fax (867) 975 - 5523 / 5522/ 5504
e-mail: tburke@gov.nu.ca

Submission Form

On Line Submission Form