In late October 2007 Peter Irniq traveled to Bristol, Rhode Island and visited the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology on the Brown University Campus. On Friday, October 26th, Mr. Irniq presented a lecture entitled "An Inuit Perspective on Global Climate Change" at Manning Hall gallery at Brown University.
Then following on Saturday and Sunday October 27-28, Mr. Irniq constructed an Inuksuk or "likeness of a person," for an audience on the Bristol Campus. An Inuksuk is a stone figure that acts as a beacon for travelers in Canada's north, symbolizing the strength, leadership, and motivation of the Inuit. There were also crafts and activities for kids and families. Also, on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. Irniq spoke about Inuksuit, Inuit culture, language, Inuit Traditional Knowledge, and the creation of Nunavut. These talks were more informal for a public audience.
Peter T. Irniq is a former Commissioner of Nunavut, an Inuit cultural teacher and an artist. He has lived most of his life in Nunavut, though he has also lived in the Western Arctic (Northwest Territories), Manitoba and Ontario. Peter is an Inuit Canadian and served as the second Commissioner of Nunavut from April of 2000 to April of 2005. Mr. Irniq currently resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
Throughout his professional life Mr. Irniq has focused on advancing Inuit culture and language. As Commissioner of Nunavut, he was a respected spokesperson who worked in the territory, nationally and internationally to connect all people to Nunavut, its culture and its history.