Nunavut language specialist recognized by governor general

Rebecca Veevee, popular host of the APTN cooking show Nigitsiat, receives congratulations from Governor General David Johnston after Veevee received the Meritorious Service Medal at a ceremony in Ottawa Dec. 11. (PHOTO BY SGT. RONALD DUCHESNE)

Leena Tatiggaq Evic displays the Meritorious Service Cross she received from Governor General David Johnston at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, Dec. 11. Evic was recognized for her language and cultural instruction enterprise Pirurvik, which she launched with a partner in 2004. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

Leena Tatiggaq Evic entered the ceremony room at Rideau Hall in Ottawa Dec. 11 to a standing ovation, humbled and touched as she accepted a Meritorious Service Cross from Canada’s governor general, David Johnston.

At the ceremony, Johnston recognized Evic, fellow Nunavummiut Rebecca Veevee and 41 other Canadians across all civil sectors for “exceptional deeds that have strengthened our society.”

“Just to be among such great Canadians was empowering,” Evic said Dec. 16 from her office in the Pirurvik Centre for Inuit Language, Culture and Well Being in Iqaluit.

“Everybody seemed very proud of the recipients; we were treated with high regard and respect.”

Evic received the award for her work with the Pirurvik Centre, a private business she set up with a business partner in 2004.

The centre takes a holistic approach to immersing clients in language and culture, which in turn benefits their well-being, Evic said.

Currently, the centre’s main client is the Government of Nunavut, for which Evic provides Inuktitut language courses and cultural training to public servants.

But looking to the future, Evic hopes to expand and provide language and cultural services to Nunavummiut outside the public service.

“I’m very optimistic we’ll expand when the time is right,” said Evic, a former elementary school teacher and principal.

The Governor General also recognized Evic’s work in developing an Inuktitut doctoral program — called Ingalangaittukuurvik — aimed at maintaining and restoring Inuit language and culture through high-level research and academic work.

Evic said the long-term goals of the program, which saw its first courses roll out this past fall, is to produce Inuit professors among current elders, and to provide the next generation of elders with that same opportunity.

“We held a lecture series on Inuit culture where we brought elders in, and we call them professors because that’s what they really are — they have a high level of language and culture knowledge,” she said, adding that the loss of current knowledge-holders makes this program urgent.

The next logical step would be to gain formal recognition for the program, which is set up as a non-profit enterprise, Evic said.

But for now, the centre — which supports the doctoral program — is settling into its new home near Iqaluit’s Four Corners, beside the CIBC branch.

For Evic, who began her career as a teacher before working with the GN and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., the new location means a step closer to realizing her dream.

“My plan was always to plunge into the private sector and fulfil a dream I had,” she said.

That dream, Evic explained, is to have a centre for Inuit where they can immerse themselves in their own language and culture, nurturing their own well-being and self-identity.

Five Canadians, including Evic, received the Meritorious Service Cross, awarded to professionals who lead by example and improve the quality of life of their community while bringing honour to Canada.

Rebecca Veevee of Iqaluit was among 38 Canadians to receive the Meritorious Service Medal in Ottawa Dec. 11.

The medal recognizes Veevee’s work as host and chef of the Inuktitut-language cooking show “Nigitsiat,” which promotes a return to Inuit traditional foods, a Dec. 8 news release from the Governor General’s office said.

“Through her program she has demonstrated a commitment to combating a growing epidemic of diseases related to poor nutrition in northern communities,” the release said.