‘A remarkable spirit’: Bishop Paul Idlout remembered for kindness, faith
Family, politicians, RCMP officers among 90 mourners at Iqaluit funeral
Former interpreter, RCMP special constable and Anglican Bishop Paul Idlout is being remembered for his faith, kindness and commitment to reconciliation. His funeral was held Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Diocese of the Arctic)
Bishop Paul Idlout is being remembered by friends and family for his kindness, commitment to his faith and for representing Inuit.
Idlout died on New Year’s Eve. He was 90 years old.
At least 90 people attended a funeral for Idlout at St. Jude’s Anglican Cathedral in Iqaluit on Tuesday. In addition to family and friends, mourners included politicians, RCMP officers and members of the Anglican community.
The service began with Bishop Ann Martha Keenainak reading a statement from Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, who expressed her condolences and regret that she could not be there in person.
Simon called Idlout “a remarkable spirit” and a “prominent elder who championed peace, reconciliation and love.”
“Despite a youth marked by hardship — the relocation of his family to Resolute in the 1950s — he chose collaboration over anger, love over isolation,” she wrote.
“As the first Inuk bishop in the world, he strengthened reconciliation and created lasting bonds between the Anglican Church and the Arctic.”
During his life, which was spent living around Nunavut, Idlout served as an RCMP special constable, a translator and an ordained priest before becoming the first Inuk bishop in 1996.
In retirement, he continued his pastoral work, was an active hunter and taught traditional skills.
Bishop Alexander Pryor, the head of the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic, said Idlout “paved the way” for many Inuit faith leaders, and that he was committed to his family and culture.
“He was a humble, honest and faithful man,” Pryor said.
Referencing the Bible and its description of good character, he said Idlout “stayed close to God and produced much good fruit.”
Throughout the ceremony, there were moments of prayer, Bible readings, the singing of hymns and communion. Attendees left flowers and mourned with Idlout’s coffin, which was draped in a Canadian flag.
Afterward, RCMP officers folded that flag, and Nunavut commanding officer Chief Supt. Kent Pike presented it to Idlout’s family.
“He’s going to be missed,” his son Joshua Idlout said after the funeral.
“He made a lot of friends from all of Nunavut, all of Canada, looks like all over the world because they remembered him. I’m thankful they were given the opportunity to meet him — the father we had.”
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