Ottawa's Only Inuk Reverend Fosters Traditional Culture at St. Margaret’s
Rev. Canon Aigah Attagutsiak, Ottawa's only Inuk reverend, is playing a pivotal role in preserving and fostering traditional Inuit culture through her leadership at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church. Located in the Vanier neighborhood, the historic church hosts a unique Inuktitut-language service every Sunday, following the English-language congregation. This service serves as a vital spiritual and cultural hub for the city’s Inuit residents, ranging from elders to newborns, offering a rare space to hear and practice their mother tongue. Attagutsiak, who moved to Ottawa from Arctic Bay in 1998, was ordained in 2015 after initial reluctance, influenced by the late Very Rev. Roger Briggs. Her leadership is particularly significant given the Anglican Church of Canada's historical involvement in residential schools. By bringing Inuit and English congregations together under one roof, Attagutsiak acts as a spiritual pillar for thousands of Inuit in Ottawa, bridging cultural gaps and providing a sense of community and continuity for those displaced from the North. The article highlights her personal journey, the church's inclusive atmosphere, and the broader context of Indigenous reconciliation within religious institutions.
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Ottawa's Only Inuk Reverend Fosters Traditional Culture at St. Margaret’s
Rev. Canon Aigah Attagutsiak, Ottawa's only Inuk reverend, is playing a pivotal role in preserving and fostering traditional Inuit culture through her leadership at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church. Located in the Vanier neighborhood, the historic church hosts a unique Inuktitut-language service every Sunday, following the English-language congregation. This service serves as a vital spiritual and cultural hub for the city’s Inuit residents, ranging from elders to newborns, offering a rare space to hear and practice their mother tongue. Attagutsiak, who moved to Ottawa from Arctic Bay in 1998, was ordained in 2015 after initial reluctance, influenced by the late Very Rev. Roger Briggs. Her leadership is particularly significant given the Anglican Church of Canada's historical involvement in residential schools. By bringing Inuit and English congregations together under one roof, Attagutsiak acts as a spiritual pillar for thousands of Inuit in Ottawa, bridging cultural gaps and providing a sense of community and continuity for those displaced from the North. The article highlights her personal journey, the church's inclusive atmosphere, and the broader context of Indigenous reconciliation within religious institutions.
Ottawa Citizen