Prince Philip to honour 14 Iqalungmiut

MIRIAM HILL

Seven Inuksuk High School students will have an up-close and personal experience with Prince Philip this week when he presents them with bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards during a two-and-a-half-hour royal visit in Iqaluit.

The award, known internationally as The International Award for Young People, was founded by Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, in 1956, to foster a sense of responsibility in young people by expanding their horizons.

They work their way through challenges in community service, skills development, physical fitness and expeditions, and explorations.

Nick Newbery, a teacher at the high school, has run the Duke of Edinburgh program at the school for 11 years, aiming it toward at- risk youth.

“We’ve northernized it,” he said. “We turn it inside-out, we do it within the school program for at-risk kids. A major component is Inuit culture and land skills, which includes carving and sewing.”

The last time the Duke of Edinburgh presented his awards in person to people from Nunavut was back in 1994, during a visit by the prince to Yellowknife. At that time, Newbery explained, the students were in the program for two years, and three of them managed to work their way up to the gold Duke of Edinburgh’s award.

“They were the first three and the only three that have got gold,” he said. “So when Philip comes he wants to acknowledge them and see those three again because they are the only ones who ever got it.”

Evie Ineak, Willy Ipeelie and Noolie Peter received the gold award in 1994, and will be present with their families at the high school to meet the prince again.

The seven students receiving the bronze award are: Taqialoo Michael, Mialisa Noah, Marlene Tiglik, Olayou Nutarariaq, Robbie Saimaiyuk, Philip Ningeongat and Kitty Naglingniq.

“Many, many, many people and organizations provide time and money to help this program, so the seven who have given a long-time major contribution are getting an appreciation award from the Duke,” Newbery said.

They are: Cpl. Jimmy Akavak of the Iqaluit RCMP, Annie Nauyuq, Levi Nowdlak, Joshua Kango, Beverley Browne, Chris Groves of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Iqaluit East MLA Ed Picco.

“We are the only group that has done this award every year for 11 years and finished it every year,” Newbery said proudly.

The future of the program, however, is unclear, as Newbery is retiring at the end of this year and no one has volunteered to take over the post.