The event featured the screening of the documentary “Sol”, which examines youth suicide in the North that was produced by Inuit women’s media production collective, Arnait Productions. The screening was followed by a Skype discussion with filmmakers Marie-Hélène Cousineau(Montreal) and Susan Avingaq(Igloolik), moderated by Toronto-based Arnait member Blandina Makkik.

Marie-Hélène Cousineau is an award-winning filmmaker and co-founder of Arnait.

Susan Avingaq has been a participant in Arnait projects since its inception. A renowned seamstress/artist in the Baffin region, she is also active locally in teaching sewing traditions to younger Inuit women.

Arnait Video Productions has promoted the unique culture and voices of Inuit women since its beginnings in 1991. Often working in difficult conditions, the sheer endurance required on the part of the women in Arnait to produce these award-winning video films testifies to the importance of the project in their lives.

Moderator Blandina Makkik was born and raised in Igloolik on the northwestern coast off Baffin Island, Nunavut. From 1985 to 1991, Blandina was the Senior Producer for Inuit Broadcasting and developed the first children’s television programming available in Inuktitut.