film journal The term œInuit like the term œAmerican Indian or œNative American refers to a diverse group of indigenous peoples living in the territories of the Arctic which were colonized by the Europeans (French and British) and later became the nation we know as Canada. The Inuit film, œAtanarjuat: The Fast Runner was made in 2001, 2 years after literally centuries of battles with the Canadian government over land rights finally successfully led to the founding of an Inuit sovereign homeland, Nunavut (the Inukitut term for our land). œAtanarjuat was produced by an Inuit film company, with an almost all Inuit production staff, with all Inuit actors, for the Inuit peoples. The film recreates the story of œAtanarjuat: The Fast Runner, an ancient legend that had been previously told by grandmothers and grandfathers as œoral history to Inuit children. Write an essay about the film and the values embodied in the legend (as represented in the film). Include in your essay a discussion of the following (in any order): ¢What life lessons and values do grandparents and elders hope to pass down to the next generation of Inuit by telling this story or showing this film to their children? ¢How are these lessons or values represented in the film? Provide examples. ¢Huhndorf (2003) provides a brief history of European colonization of the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. In what ways do the Europeans’ practices and treatment of the Inuit peoples resemble their practices and treatment of indigenous peoples elsewhere? ¢According to Huhndorf (2003), the film serves to help revive traditions, languages, and practices of the Inuit peoples. What is the basis of Huhndorf’s argument? Explain. ¢In ways is the film œpolitical? ¢Huhndorf (2003) argues that the film œAtanarjuat represents the integration and intertwining of culture, history and politics. Explain what she means and discuss the evidence she provides. ¢Explain how the film œAtaranjuat blurs the boundaries between fiction and documentary. ¢What are the implications of the film for contemporary Inuit life? ¢According to Ginsburg (2003), what immediate impact did the film have on contemporary Inuit life? ¢According to Ginsburg (2003) and Huhndorf (2003), in what ways does the film represent continuity between the past and the future? ¢According to Ginsburg (2003), what does œvisual sovereignty mean and why is œAtanarjuat: The Fast Runner a good example of visual sovereignty?