Premier to visit all of Nunavut

Nunavut celebrated 10 trying and triumphant years this past Wednesday.

Nunavummiut from Sanikiluaq to Grise Fiord were to take part in celebrations like community feasts, games, and skating.

At the Legislative Assembly in Iqaluit, speaker James Arreak unveiled the winners of the Nunavut At 10 essay contest and an exhibit of photographs and memorabilia from the assembly's first decade.

Arreak named four winners, who will each receive a coin from the Royal Canadian Mint, designed by artist Andrew Qaapik, marking Nunavut's 10th birthday.

"All of these students submitted heartfelt and thoughtful essays," Arreak told an assembled crowd of Inuksuk High School students at the Legislative Assembly.

The winners of the essay contest are: Charlotte Crow, Nuiyak School, Sanikiluaq; Cassandra MacDonald, Qarmartalik School, Resolute Bay; Paula Piryuaq, Jonah Amitnaaq School, Baker Lake; and Aloka Wijeoariya, Inuksuk High School, Iqaluit.

Commissioner Ann Meekidjuk Hanson was to deliver a throne speech Wednesday afternoon after Nunatsiaq News press-time.

The Government of Nunavut actually kicked off its 10th anniversary celebrations March 20, when Eva Aariak, the premier, visited Pond Inlet.

Aariak plans to visit every Nunavut community this year to mark a decade of Inuit self-governance in the eastern Arctic.

For more on Nunavut's 10th birthday please see next week's Nunatsiaq News