Truth and Reconciliation Commission Inuvik

UPDATE: Philip Elanik passed away from cancer on August 10th 2011. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and his children.

This was IRC's presentation at the TRC. Philip Elanik does the dance of the muzzleloader. Nellie explained the dance like this: "As you know, when Europeans introduced this rifle it was something new. The dance is about a hunter who tries to shoot a caribou but unfortunately misfires 3 times. He gets so angry that it's unsuccessful and says to himself 'I will wrap this muzzleloader around the first tree stump that I find.' He thinks if he had brought his traditional tools he would have been successful. But this was his first time trying the new way."

The big newspapers overlooked Philip's dance in their coverage of the TRC

Philip Elanik's is recovering from cancer and this January his house burnt down. He went into his burning house to save his children. He sustained horrific injuries and is still in treatment but he still was able to dance this amazing dance. Nellie said that Philip has the "spirit of the dance" and that he represents the Inuvialuit inwardly, spiritually.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Inuvik
• Truth
• and
• Reconciliation
• Commission
• Philip
• Elanik
• Drum
• Dancing
• Inuvialuit
• Regional
• Corporation

[troykataoyak]

We'll miss you cousin Philip , we'll see you in the next life :)

[omilgoituk]

he will be greatly missed rip uncle phil from hayven starr trin and francine

[DebbieGordon1]

Always get all choked up when I watch my nephew dance!! God Bless you PHIL!!!