Celebrating the 50th anniversary, Julie Grenier, the current Director General of Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated (TNI), and her father Claude Grenier, former Director General from 1998 to 2017, discuss and celebrate the inception, journey and future of TNI.
JULIE GRENIER: Taqramiut Nipingat Incorporated is a media society in Nunavik that provides communications and entertainment services to Nunavimmiut in Inuktitut. Serving 14 communities—as well as accessible on the land, at camps and online—TNI is one of the main sources of daily radio and television broadcasting programs to Nunavimmiut in Inuktitut, including regional and local news, stories, music and live gatherings. Communications are integral for all Indigenous communities, especially for remote communities which can be very difficult to travel to. They are a means to speak to one another, hear what is happening elsewhere, receive weather forecasts while out on the land, draw attention to important matters and hear the language. Every household in Nunavik will, at some point, tune in to TNI programming.
Let’s put the early years in context before jumping into the development of a communications society, as the 1970s were important in the development of the region.
From left: Sarah Ainalik Ikey and Peta Tayara working with radios behind the scenes
CLAUDE GRENIER: Yes, in the early ’70s major negotiations took place between the Northern Quebec Inuit Association (NQIA) and the provincial and federal governments that led to the signing of the first major land claims agreement in Canada, the James Bay Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA), in 1975. Unfortunately, communications were not included in the negotiations and therefore were not a part of the land claims agreement, so it became essential that a separate approach be put in place to make sure that communications would be taken care of.
JG: How did the idea of creating a communications society come about, and how did the NQIA convince the federal government that communications were an essential tool for Nunavik?
CG: Josepi Padlayat (1947–2024), who later became the first president of TNI, was the first Inuk hired by the NQIA to work on the communications file in the early 1970s. A field trip was organized to hold discussions with each community council and the absence of communications within Nunavik was one of the main topics. As a result of the field trip, a book entitled ᑕᖅᕋᒥᐅᑦ (Taqramiut); The Northerners; Les septentrionaux (1974) was published by the NQIA in three languages and eventually presented to the federal government to demonstrate the importance of filling the gaps left by the JBNQA, including communications.
An Elder and Akinisie Sivuarapik behind the scenes of the episode “Torngat Mountains National Park, an Overview” of Our People, Our Land, Torngat Mountains National Park, 2015
JG: Following the presentation of The Northerners to the government, TNI was established as a communications society for Nunavik. What did that process look like?
CG: The process began in 1973 when, for the first time in Nunavik’s history, a meeting about communications took place in Sugluk (now Salluit, Nunavik, QC) with representatives from each community. TNI was officially created on September 8, 1975, as a not-for-profit organization, which later transitioned to a not-for-profit corporation in 2014.
JG: Although TNI now undertakes different levels of communications, it was essential to determine the first priority for the region. There was definitely a lot of work to be done,
however, it seemed clear that radio communications were urgently needed.
From left: Charlie Shipaluk, Bobby May Jr., Charlie Adams and Sailasie Qumak working on videography behind the scenes
CG: At the time, Nunavimmiut only had access to CBC Northern Service (now CBC North) shortwave frequency radio, which started in the 1960s. CBC Northern Service had a few programs in Inuktitut which were very much appreciated by Inuit.
About a year after the creation of TNI, the first initiative was to establish an inter-community high-frequency (HF) radio link as a communication system for Nunavimmiut. Over time, HF systems were installed in each of the communities and independently operated by each of the community councils.
Still of Mark Watt driving a sled dog team from the episode “Father and Son” of Adventures on Inuit Land (2021–ongoing)
Another important step was to create local frequency modulation (FM) radio stations in the communities. TNI would record stories and news on cassette tapes, then copies were made for each local radio station and sent by airplane to the communities for local broadcast. This wasn’t an ideal system because of flight delays caused by bad weather, but the communities were finally getting programming in Inuktitut.
Later, recorded cassettes were sent to CBC North in Montreal, QC, to be broadcast on their network, but they were only committed to providing infrastructure to the five most populated communities. In order to receive CBC North in the other communities, TNI had to fund the purchasing, installation and maintenance of equipment.
Akinisie Sivuarapik and Lucassie Nappaaluk behind the scenes of the episode “Mussel picking under the ice in Kangiqsujuaq” of Nunavik Secrets (2011–2014), Kangiqsujuaq, 2013
Not long after, an uplink satellite system, Telesat Canada (now Telesat), began servicing Nunavik, and daily programming was prepared at TNI’s head office in Salluit and transmitted through this new uplink system to CBC North in Montreal for live broadcast. At the time, TNI was broadcasting two hours daily—eventually three hours daily—Monday to Friday. Nunavimmiut were now getting better radio programming and a more reliable service in Inuktitut.
In 1999 the TNI Board of Directors had to make important decisions, which led to the creation of its own regional radio network. This was ultimately due to the CBC making changes to programming, dictating content and limiting airtime for Nunavik-specific programming, whereas TNI wanted to better serve Nunavimmiut by increasing programs dealing with youth and Elders and advancing regional news programming. It was not easy creating a new radio network to serve 14 fly-in communities, but we did it!
Behind the scenes of the episode “Scallops” of Adventures on Inuit Land, sailing near Quaqtaq, 2021
In 2006 the TNI regional radio network 94.1 FM was launched, enabling us to control the content and language of radio broadcasts—tailoring it to Nunavimmiut’s interests. From 9 AM to 9 PM, we broadcasted live shows, music, news, weather and live meetings from regional organizations on air, as well as accessible on the TNI website. TNI hired freelance community reporters to cover local news, so Nunavimmiut were able to promptly hear and appreciate what was going on across the region.
After the launch we conducted a survey, which revealed that 94.1 FM was appreciated by many community members. For instance, a teenager expressed that he really enjoyed the morning show with senior host Elashuk Pauyungie (1941–2014), who was a well-respected producer amongst Nunavimmiut. Kaujjajuq (2018), a radio-theatre program by the Nunavik Inuit Theatre Company, now Aaqsiiq Theatre Company, aired on 94.1 FM and was similarly enjoyed by listeners because it was voiced by fellow community members.
Still of Beatrice Deer from the episode “Making a Nassak with Beatrice Deer- Part 3” of How To Series (c. 2014–2015)
JG: It is important to also highlight that TNI radio was and continues to be an essential vehicle for musical artists throughout the region. Many of our producers are well-known musicians, such as George Kakayuk of the band Sugluk and Sandy Tooma of the Kuujjuaq Band; for some, working at TNI is what launched their musical and/or entertainment career.
CG: Yes, over the years, we noticed that Inuit with a musical background were adept with radio and television production. Also, many musicians and storytellers now had the opportunity to share their work on air, empowering Nunavimmiut to produce content in their language, as there was a service dedicated to sharing Inuktitut content. Singer-songwriter Charlie Adams (1952–2008), another of our producers, performed many of his songs on 94.1 FM; “Quviasupunga” has aired frequently over the years.
Lucassie Echalook behind the scenes of the episode “Kayak” of Our People, Our Land, Inukjuak, 2016
PHOTO JULIE GRENIER
JG: Once radio communications were established, the next priority for TNI was Inuktitut television content. But there is a lot of history with that process as well.
CG: In the early 1980s, before TNI began producing and broadcasting video, TNI collaborated with the CBC to train Inuit in video production and post-production. Videotapes were filmed and edited, and master tapes were sent to the CBC Northern Service for broadcast.
A video camera resting on a sled during production of Our People, Our Land on the False River, 2017
In 1987 Indigenous broadcasters in Northern Canada met in Yellowknife, NT, with the goal of establishing a Northern television distribution service, which led to the creation of Television Northern Canada (TVNC) in 1992. [1] TNI was one of the 13 Indigenous broadcasters, government and education organizations in Northern Canada that owned and produced programs for the network. In 1999 the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission granted TVNC a national broadcasting license and they re-branded as the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). As a founding member of the network, TNI was involved in the transition from TVNC to APTN and has been producing and licensing programs to APTN for 25 years, such as Adventures on Inuit Land (2021–ongoing) as well as Siila: The Life and Work of Sheila Watt-Cloutier (2008), which was produced by TNI’s subsidiary Taqramiut Productions Incorporated.
Eva Sakiagak Audlaluk holding a microphone toward Zebedee Nungak during an interview
JG: Clearly, TNI has played a vital role in the distribution of Inuktitut content in both radio and television in Nunavik as well as across the country. However, since APTN is a national Indigenous television broadcaster, they mainly broadcast in English, followed by French and then every other Indigenous language in Canada. While Inuktitut was—and continues to be—frequently broadcast on the network, it was not the dominant language. How did this impact Nunavimmiut, who wanted to hear more Inuktitut programming?
CG: Nunavimmiut began asking for more video programs in Inuktitut that showed their culture, way of life, achievements, etc. Therefore, the TNI Board of Directors requested that management conduct a feasibility study, the results of which led to the creation of a new network, Nunavik Community Television (NCTv), in 2010.
From left: Dave Stonier, Akinisie Sivuarapik and David Serkoak behind the scenes of Part 1 and Part 2 of “Torngats: Journey Through Labrador” of Our People, Our Land, Torngat Mountains National Park, 2015
As before, with securing a regional radio network, it was not an easy task to set up a community television network. There were many challenges to deal with, such as funding, infrastructure in remote communities, transportation, and so on. Fortunately, every local cooperative was supportive and gave us space on their local cable network. TNI is now watched everywhere in Nunavik on channel 309.
Our schedule includes a mix of new and vintage programming in Inuktitut, such as episodes of Our People, Our Land (2014–ongoing) and Nunavimmiut (1999–2009). Initially we targeted times of the day when viewers are usually home—8–9 AM, 12–1 PM and 6 PM–8 PM Monday to Friday, and we would broadcast shows for kids on Saturday mornings. Today, we broadcast 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Jean-Nicolas Orhon entering the Watt family cabin near the False River behind the scenes of the episode “Let’s Go To False River” of Our People, Our Land, 2017
PHOTO JULIE GRENIER
Many folks, Inuit and non-Inuit, contributed greatly to TNI’s many achievements. It wouldn’t be fair to mention names here, but we are certain that Nunavimmiut know who they are, and we take this opportunity to thank them for their dedication and contribution toward the vision our communities had over 50 years ago, which led us to 94.1 FM and NCTv.
There have been many obstacles we’ve faced operating a not-for-profit organization in a remote region for the past 50 years, but we have overcome them and received support from regional organizations, Northern Villages, local co-ops and Nunavimmiut. I strongly believe that the future of TNI is promising, but it will not be easy.
Core funding and communications programs specific to Nunavik are priorities for the future, which would enable TNI to plan long-term and increase and refine our broadcast programming. I cannot think of a future without TNI, but I can see better communications and entertainment within our region through TNI.
Kangiqsuk, Nunavik, QC, at sunset, 2017
JG: Thank you so much for giving this insight into the history of TNI. We have talked extensively about the past and the milestones that have brought us here. And there are certainly many challenges facing us going forward, such as the ongoing struggle to secure funding. However, the support from our regional, provincial and national partners makes me hopeful. The media landscape is changing very quickly, moving from an analog and linear platform to web-based platforms, but these new spaces create opportunities to reach audiences far beyond Nunavik, to share our stories and beautiful culture with the world.
Claude Grenier holds an MA in Urban Analysis and Management and has over 40 years of experience in senior management with Nunavik organizations, including as Director General at TNI from 1998 to 2017. He has been involved in the production of over 200 television episodes, was instrumental in the creation of the 94.1 FM station and NCTv, and continues to serve Nunavik communities by working in communications as a consultant.
Julie Grenier is from Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, QC, and is the current Director General for TNI. She has held various positions at TNI prior to becoming Director General and she directed many TNI documentaries and series. Grenier is on the Inuit Art Foundation Board of Directors and is the Chair of the APTN Board of Directors. Creatively, she beads, sews and hosts art workshops.
NOTES
1 For more information on the creation of APTN, see Jennifer David, Original People, Original Television: The Launching of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (Theytus Books, 2024).
This Feature was originally published in the Spring 2025 issue of the Inuit Art Quarterly.