Kiggaqtuijugut Workshops

Robert Kuptana carves a piece of antler at Arts Alive 2005

Robert Kuptana carves a piece of antler at Arts Alive 2005.
Photo Barry Pottle

Join us from February 2–5 for Kiggaqtuijugut, a practical, hands-on workshop series for Inuit artists designed to strengthen cultural confidence, communication, and collaboration across professional and organizational contexts. Led by Kevin Qamaniq-Mason of Akiani Consulting, participants will explore Inuit-specific communication approaches, strategies for navigating cultural differences and racism and ways to engage with arts institutions and funding systems. Through discussion, examples, and exercises, you will leave with tools to work confidently with organizations, peers and funders while staying grounded in Inuit values and ways of knowing.

Workshops
Monday, February 2: Communication Styles
Tuesday, February 3: Managing Cultural Dissonance and Anti-Racism
Thursday, February 5: Working with Organizations and Funding

Each workshop is offered twice on these dates. You may choose to attend the morning session (9AM–12PM EST) or the afternoon session (1PM–4PM EST).

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Communication StylesMonday, January 26, 2026

Understanding how Inuit and Euro-Canadian cultural and social norms shape communication and relationships.

Topics:

  • Conversational norms: silence, response/speech latency, and turn-taking
  • High- and low-disclosure cultures: approaches to sharing information and building relationships
  • Cultural differences in verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Adapting communication strategies for professional and collaborative contexts


Module 2: Managing Cultural Dissonance and Anti-Racism
Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Recognizing and responding to cultural misunderstandings and racism.

Topics:

  • Distinguishing cultural tension from overt or systemic racism
  • Knowing when to respond with culturally competent approaches versus anti-racist strategies
  • Tools for respectful dialogue and conflict navigation
  • Balancing Inuit values with organizational or funding expectations


Module 3: Working with Organizations and Funding
Thursday, January 29, 2026

Understanding and navigating organizational structures, expectations, and opportunities of arts institutions and funding bodies.

Topics:

  • Working with Euro-Canadian organizations and institutions
  • Building partnerships while maintaining cultural integrity
  • Common challenges and strategies for project and program management
  • Preparing and presenting successful grant and funding applications
 

About Kevin Qamaniq-Mason

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Kevin Qamaniq-Mason is an Inuk from Iglulik, NU, and a beneficiary of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement. As the founder and principal consultant at Akiani Consulting, Kevin provides Inuit-focused facilitation, cultural competency training, HR consultation, and professional development. He specializes in Inuit and Euro-Canadian workplace dynamics, helping organizations and teams navigate communication, decision-making, and relationships with cultural insight and respect.

Before founding Akiani Consulting, he spent more than a decade advancing Inuit rights and self-determination across the public and community sectors, including as a senior policy and communications advisor at Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), manager of family programming at Tungasuvvingat Inuit, and providing research and dispute resolution services in health and government settings.

 

About Akiani Consulting

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Akiani Consulting is a 100% Inuit-owned and Inuit-led consulting firm focused on promoting cultural safety and respectful relationships involving Inuit. Our work supports Inuit in the spaces where we live, work, and create.

Akiani provides facilitation, consultation, and cultural competency workshops that go beyond awareness, focusing on how people communicate, make decisions, and navigate power in shared spaces. Our approach is clear, respectful, and immediately useful for building trust and stronger relationships between Inuit and non-Inuit.

Register

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