Iqaluit recognizes city’s volunteers

Yvonne Earle accepts her award for her long-time volunteer work from Iqaluit’s mayor-elect John Graham. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF IQALUIT)

When the City of Iqaluit presented its volunteer appreciation awards to various individuals and organizations Oct. 25, volunteers were treated to a celebration.

The city’s volunteer appreciation reception, which took place at an Iqaluit hotel, featured live music, certificates for all the volunteers, and the presentation of the 2012 outstanding volunteer awards.

Iqaluit’s mayor elect, John Graham, presented the following outstanding volunteer awards:

• Arts and Culture Award – Darlene Nuqingaq;

• Sport and Recreation Award – Joselyn Morrison;

• Youth Award – Geena Maata Kopalie;

• Community Development Award – Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association; and,

• Service Organization – Piviniit Thrift Shop

Iqaluit’s long-time service award –Yvonne Earle

Earle, who has lived in Iqaluit for 25 years, has been involved with the Piviniit thrift shop since 2005. She’s also maintained the Iqaluit Tai Chi Group and organized workshops since 2006.

Earle also served on the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit museum board. She sat as the Baffin representative on the Northwest Territories Literacy Council, helped create and then served on the Nunavut Literacy Council as well as chaired the Iqaluit Literacy until it disbanded in 2009.

“Volunteers are an integral part of a healthy and productive community” said Amy Elgersma, Iqaluit’s director of recreation. “The recipients of this year’s outstanding volunteer awards are dedicated volunteers who give so generously of their time to make Iqaluit a great place to live.”