John Amagoalik returns to the territory he helped create

On Friday, John Amagoalik returned home to the territory he helped create after 16 months living at Embassy West Senior Living in Ottawa.

His wife, family members, friends and supporters greeted him and his daughter Lily Amagoalik, who accompanied him on the flight, at the Iqaluit airport.

“It feels good, my family [is] beautiful,” Amagoalik said when asked what it was like to see his loved ones. “Someone came and told me, ‘John Amagoalik you may as well give up, you’ll never go back to your home,’ but we decided that I’m not going to accept this, I’m going to fight it, and I’m going to win.”

His return was not certain, but he was determined to live out his days in the territory. A group of friends and advocates in Iqaluit raised funds for him to come back.

One friend, Mark Stiles, previously told Nunatsiaq News that the financial support to allow Amagoalik to live in Iqaluit is temporary. The group has raised enough money to pay for expenses such as a nurse, personal support worker and rent to take care of his family “for some time,” he added.

They were “nowhere near” their private fundraising target and the group continues to work to raise money.

“I’m feeling happy,” Evie said as she waited for her husband to arrive in the Iqaluit airport. “He’s been gone a long time so he’s finally coming home, so I’m very happy.”

Amagoalik, who is in a wheelchair and speaks with a faint voice, said he was tired after a long day of travel.

“I’m going to stay home and rest for a while, and also try to get my life started again,” he said.

Despite his health problems, the 78 year-old’s sense of humour still showed when asked what traditional food he was looking forward to eating.

“I’m hoping to have a ptarmigan, but I’d settle for a can of beef,” he said, sporting a wry smile.