Takuginai Celebrates Twenty Years!

June 15, 2006 – Twenty years ago the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) began production of Takuginai, the world's first ever aboriginal language children’s television show. Takuginai, which means "Look Here” or “Let me show you", celebrates traditional Inuit values of community and respect for elders in an atmosphere of kindness and general all round fun. IBC had planned, researched, surveyed, and fundraised for three years, as well as conducted intensive training for Inuit producers, crew, hosts, artists, and puppeteers.

Takuginai was created for the five to seven year old age group however the show is watched and enjoyed by all generations. Takuginai features a lively and supportive community of characters. Two favorites are Johnny, the ever hungry lemming who has survived a variety of ill advised adventures from riding in a weather balloon to trying out a punk haircut and Granny the toothless, spectacled old woman who dishes out humour and love along with her wisdom. Takuginai, as does all of IBC's programming, promotes Inuit culture and language, counteracting the tides of “foreign” programming available on television and other media.

Takuginai is produced entirely in Inuktitut in Iqaluit with contributions from IBC centres in Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Taloyoak and Igloolik. The entire Takuginai puppet family has been developed and created in Nunavut. The 20th season of Takuginai will be broadcast on APTN this fall.

On Friday, June 23rd, as part of the Alianait Arts Festival, a retrospective of Takuginai will be screened for students, teachers and elders at Nakasuk School in Iqaluit. At 3:00 p.m., IBC will host a "birthday party" outside the school for local children featuring a puppet show, games, music, hotdogs and birthday cake.

“We are looking forward to celebrating this remarkable accomplishment, made possible by so many dedicated and talented IBC staff over the years, and of course our loyal audience. We are also looking forward to enhancing Takuginai through several new initiatives in the planning stage” said Okalik Eegeesiak, President of IBC.

For more info:
Annie Ningeok: IBC Iqaluit:
(867) 979-6231 or Takuginai@inuitbroadcasting.ca

Okalik Eegeesiak:
(613) 321-1650 or okalik@inuitbroadcasting.ca

Financial support for the series is provided by Dept of Canadian Heritage, and the Government of Nunavut, Dept. of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.

For more information on Takuginai click here.

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