Donat Savoie
Encyclopedia
Donat Savoie an anthropologist, was the interim Executive Director of Canada's Inuit Relations Secretariat and chief federal negotiator for Nunavik
self-government before his retirement in 2006.
community of George River, now known as Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec
. There he lived with Inuk
printmaker
Tivi Etok
and family while doing research for his masters' project. He received a B.S. degree in Anthropology
from the University of Montreal in 1968, and a Masters degree in Anthropology the following year.
The introduction and photographs in Jobie Weetaluktuk's 2008 book, Le monde de Tivi Etok: la vie et l'art d'un aîné inuit about the man Savoie lived with while doing his Masters degree research, are by Savoie.
(DIAND) where he held several positions. His first job, in 1969, was the analysis and editing of Father Émile Petitot
’s ethnographic
work in the Northwest Territories
. From 1971-1974, he was a Research Officer in the Northern Research Division, before becoming Chief of the Eastern Arctic Section, Northern Research Division in 1975. For thirteen years, from 1977 through 1990, Savoie was Director of Circumpolar and Scientific Affairs. In 1992, Savoie became Acting Director General, Self-Government, and in 1993-2001, Senior Negotiator for Nunavik
Self-Government negotiations. The Minister of DIAND appointed Savoie as Chief Federal Negotiator for Nunavik Self-Government negotiations in 2001, a position he held until 2006. In the last year before his retirement, he served as Interim Executive Director, Inuit Relations Secretariat, April 2005-April 2006, thus making him the first director of the federal government's new Inuit secretariat.
In addition to being the Founding President of the University of Montreal Research Committee on Northern Populations in 1974, Savoie has held leadership positions in a variety of organizations, including Vice President, Canadian Association of French Language Sociologists and Anthropologists (1973); Secretary Treasurer and Vice-President, Recherches Améridiennes au Québec (1971–1975); Vice President, Man and the Biosphere/Canada Program, Unesco
(1984–1987). He was elected a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America
in 1996, and ten years later, in 2006, was elected a member of the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
. He was the 2003 recipient of the Weaver-Tremblay Award.
From 1977 through 1982, Savoie was also editor of Montreal's Cultures Amérindiennes Collection of Éditions Hurtubise HMH Ltée.
He retired from government service April 7, 2006.
Nunavik
Nunavik comprises the northern third of the province of Quebec, Canada. Covering a land area of 443,684.71 km² north of the 55th parallel, it is the homeland of the Inuit of Quebec...
self-government before his retirement in 2006.
Early years
Savoie left on May 3, 1967 for the Eastern Arctic, to the Ungava BayUngava Bay
Ungava Bay is a large bay in northeastern Canada separating Nunavik from Baffin Island. The bay is shaped like a rounded square with a side length of about and has an area of approximately...
community of George River, now known as Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec
Kangiqsualujjuaq, Quebec
Kangiqsualujjuaq is an Inuit village with a population of approximately 620, located on the east coast of Ungava Bay at the mouth of the George River, in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada....
. There he lived with Inuk
Inuit
The Inuit are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples inhabiting the Arctic regions of Canada , Denmark , Russia and the United States . Inuit means “the people” in the Inuktitut language...
printmaker
Printmaking
Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. Printmaking normally covers only the process of creating prints with an element of originality, rather than just being a photographic reproduction of a painting. Except in the case of monotyping, the process is capable...
Tivi Etok
Tivi Etok
Tivi Etok is a Canadian Inuit artist, illustrator, and printmaker. In 1975, he was the first Inuk printmaker to have a collection of his own prints released. He is now an Inuk Elder.-Early years:...
and family while doing research for his masters' project. He received a B.S. degree in Anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
from the University of Montreal in 1968, and a Masters degree in Anthropology the following year.
The introduction and photographs in Jobie Weetaluktuk's 2008 book, Le monde de Tivi Etok: la vie et l'art d'un aîné inuit about the man Savoie lived with while doing his Masters degree research, are by Savoie.
Career
Savoie spent his career at the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs CanadaIndian and Northern Affairs Canada
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for policies relating to Aboriginal peoples...
(DIAND) where he held several positions. His first job, in 1969, was the analysis and editing of Father Émile Petitot
Émile Petitot
Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot (also known as Émile-Fortuné-Stanislas-Joseph Petitot) Father Émile-Fortuné Petitot (also known as Émile-Fortuné-Stanislas-Joseph Petitot) (Inuk name, Mitchi Pitchitork Tchikraynarm iyoyé, meaning "Mr...
’s ethnographic
Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative method aimed to learn and understand cultural phenomena which reflect the knowledge and system of meanings guiding the life of a cultural group...
work in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
. From 1971-1974, he was a Research Officer in the Northern Research Division, before becoming Chief of the Eastern Arctic Section, Northern Research Division in 1975. For thirteen years, from 1977 through 1990, Savoie was Director of Circumpolar and Scientific Affairs. In 1992, Savoie became Acting Director General, Self-Government, and in 1993-2001, Senior Negotiator for Nunavik
Nunavik
Nunavik comprises the northern third of the province of Quebec, Canada. Covering a land area of 443,684.71 km² north of the 55th parallel, it is the homeland of the Inuit of Quebec...
Self-Government negotiations. The Minister of DIAND appointed Savoie as Chief Federal Negotiator for Nunavik Self-Government negotiations in 2001, a position he held until 2006. In the last year before his retirement, he served as Interim Executive Director, Inuit Relations Secretariat, April 2005-April 2006, thus making him the first director of the federal government's new Inuit secretariat.
In addition to being the Founding President of the University of Montreal Research Committee on Northern Populations in 1974, Savoie has held leadership positions in a variety of organizations, including Vice President, Canadian Association of French Language Sociologists and Anthropologists (1973); Secretary Treasurer and Vice-President, Recherches Améridiennes au Québec (1971–1975); Vice President, Man and the Biosphere/Canada Program, Unesco
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
(1984–1987). He was elected a Fellow of the Arctic Institute of North America
Arctic Institute of North America
The Arctic Institute of North America is mandated to study the North American and circumpolar Arctic in the areas of natural science, social science, arts and the humanities. In addition, it acquires, preserves and disseminates information on environmental, physical, and social conditions in the...
in 1996, and ten years later, in 2006, was elected a member of the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society
Royal Canadian Geographical Society
The Royal Canadian Geographical Society is a Canadian non-profit educational organization dedicated to imparting a broader knowledge and deeper appreciation of Canada — its people and places, its natural and cultural heritage and its environmental, social and economic challenges.-History:The...
. He was the 2003 recipient of the Weaver-Tremblay Award.
From 1977 through 1982, Savoie was also editor of Montreal's Cultures Amérindiennes Collection of Éditions Hurtubise HMH Ltée.
He retired from government service April 7, 2006.
Partial bibliography
In French language:- (1970). Les Indiens loucheux, OCLC 179804781
- (1971). Le rapport Dorion et les droit territoriaux des Indiens de la baie de James, OCLC 24820948
- (1971). Les esquimaux Tchiglit, OCLC 180149784