The Inuit of Nunavik (Northern Quebec) are among the first Indigenous people to have taken control of their archaeological heritage in Canada. Their pioneer work is better known among researchers since it has always focused on assisting the northern communities in their need for cultural research instead of seeking recognition among scholars. Therefore, their earliest work, dating back to the 1970s, and their current expertise may come as a surprise to many scholars. Their archaeological knowledge and capability can certainly be inspiring for Indigenous communities seeking to gain control of the management and documentation of their heritage and for archaeologists looking to meaningfully collaborate with First Nations, Inuit and Metis. This presentation will discuss the evolution of the practice of Inuit archaeology and will also present an outline of the archaeological heritage of Nunavik concentrating on the archaeology of the Inuit. It will include an overview of the different types of archaeological sites and structures found on the land and islands and their significance.

Tommy Weetaluktuk (http://www.avataq.qc.ca/en/Institute/Departments/Archaeology) has conducted numerous archaeological fieldwork projects around Nunavik since he first worked for the Avataq Cultural Institute in the 1980s. During the process of documenting Nunavik archaeology, the cooperation of Elders to record the past and conduct extensive studies, deepened his knowledge of cultural heritage.

First involved as a student in 1999, Pierre M. Desrosiers worked at Avataq Cultural Institute until 2015 before joining Parks Canada. He is currently the curator of Central Archaeology at the Canadian Museum of History.