Kangiqsujuaq, Quebec – The Canadian federal government has issued a formal apology and pledged $45 million in compensation for the devastating slaughter of sled dogs in Nunavik during the 1950s and 1960s. Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree delivered the apology in a ceremony held Saturday in Kangiqsujuaq, a northern Quebec village profoundly impacted by the killings.
“The dog slaughter caused immense grief and devastation across Nunavik. The federal government accepts responsibility for its role in these events and the harm inflicted on the Inuit way of life,” Anandasangaree stated. “On behalf of Canada, I am deeply sorry. Please forgive us.”
Historical Injustice
Between 1955 and 1970, more than 1,000 sled dogs, integral to Inuit culture and livelihood, were killed. A 2010 report by former Quebec Superior Court Justice Jean-Jacques Croteau concluded that provincial police, often acting under federal oversight, carried out the killings with little regard for the devastating impact on Inuit families. The report also linked these actions to broader federal policies, including the imposition of mandatory schooling and residential systems, which disrupted Inuit communities.
In one instance highlighted by Croteau, more than 200 dogs in Kangiqsujuaq were slaughtered over three days, erasing over half the community’s canine population. Many Inuit also reported dogs dying after being vaccinated under federal directives, with no warnings provided about potential risks.
Impact on Inuit Communities
The sled dogs were not just working animals but lifelines, enabling hunting, fishing, and access to remote areas. The loss of these dogs deprived Inuit families of essential means to sustain their traditional way of life.
Makivvik, the organization representing Inuit in Nunavik, has long sought recognition and reparations for this dark chapter. Its president, Pita Aatami, described the pain endured by elders whose livelihoods were stripped away. “For many, this apology may offer a sense of closure, but the trauma remains,” Aatami said.
Compensation and Cultural Revitalization
The $45 million compensation package will support the revival of dog team ownership in Nunavik, funding training, fencing, and supplies necessary to restore the tradition. Aatami noted that historical practices, such as allowing dogs to roam freely to maintain their health, would be reintroduced.
Some funds will also be allocated directly to affected individuals, although the exact distribution plans are still under discussion. “This is a starting point,” Aatami emphasized, advocating for additional resources to address mental health impacts.
Broader Apologies and Context
The federal acknowledgment follows similar actions by Quebec, which apologized in 2011 and provided $3 million to promote Inuit language and culture. In 2019, Canada also apologized to Inuit in Nunavut for the RCMP’s role in similar sled dog killings.
Justice Croteau’s report underscored Canada’s failure to protect Inuit interests during this period, highlighting the government’s fiduciary responsibility to negotiate rather than impose disruptive policies. The report argued that federal actions not only facilitated the killings but also exacerbated cultural and social upheaval in Inuit communities.
Anandasangaree’s apology marks a critical step in addressing this historical wrong, though Inuit leaders maintain that the path to healing will require ongoing support and dialogue.