A territory celebrates

Nunavut Day began with a bang on Tuesday — the sound of helium-filled balloons popping at the Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Hall in the territory’s capital.

Rain forced Nunavut Day activities inside, but it didn’t dampen the spirits of those who came out for the noon feast and afternoon games. Commissioner Peter Irniq told the gathered crowd never to forget where they came from.

“We must always acknowledge our ancestors and elders,” he said. “We are a nation of patient people and through patience we have not only survived but have thrived.”

Multi-coloured balloons attached to hats and zippers bobbed throughout the crowd as people feasted on seal, caribou stew, bannock and hot dogs.

Irniq said the territory’s people have a lot to be proud of — “the creation of Nunavut and the work our immediate ancestors and elders have done to allow my generation, those 55 years plus, to get information and knowledge from our land — Nunavut,” he said. “We have a feeling of ownership of our land and language.”

Irniq couldn’t emphasize enough how proud he is to be both a Nunavummiut and a Canadian.

“We’re working to prepare Nunavut for the youth of tomorrow.”

As the rain fell, Irniq did admit there are challenges three years after the creation of Nunavut, including a lack of employment and housing, but he pointed out that the territory is the envy of other aboriginal groups in Canada and around the world.

Dinos Tikivik sat in a chair in the hall with his eight-month-old daughter Malaya on his lap. He smiled as he fed her tiny bits of bannock.

“Nunavut Day means our land to me,” he said simply. “I’m just happy to be here again and thankful for Canada being a free country.

Napatchie Lyta, standing near the entrance to the hall, shared a similar sentiment.

“It’s just about celebrating our land,” she said. “It’s free and it’s fresh.”