High-ranking visitors brought a ‘buzz’ to Cambridge Bay
NATO secretary general, Trudeau and federal cabinet ministers were there to talk about arctic security
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets Canada Summer Games gold medalist Eekeeluak Avalak at the Canadian High Arctic Research Station during his visit to Cambridge Bay on Thursday. (Photo by Adam Scott/PMO)
You could feel the buzz around town that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg were going to visit Cambridge Bay, the hamlet’s deputy mayor Derek Elias said.
“A lot of people were excited and anxious to see their faces,” he said in an interview Friday.
Trudeau and Stoltenberg visited the small arctic community of about 1,700 as part of Stoltenberg’s three-day visit to Canada from Aug. 24 to 26, with a stop in the hamlet on Thursday.
The secretary general was here to discuss defence and security, particularly in the arctic.
Three federal ministers were part of the visit: National Defence Minister Anita Anand, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly and Northern Affairs Minister Daniel Vandal.
It was a rare event for Cambridge Bay, to have such high-ranking officials there to visit. One of the first events in the day was a qulliq lighting by elder Eva Kakolak, 72.
She said Trudeau and Stoltenberg were receptive to the lighting, asking her about the arctic cotton and oils she uses in the qulliq.
“It was pretty awesome,” Kakolak said.
For hamlet residents, a highlight of the visit was when Trudeau and Stoltenberg visited the Red Fish Art Studio and the young people who make art there, said Cambridge Bay chief administrative officer Jim MacEachern.
“It was a great experience for the boys in that program,” he said.
The agenda for the officials included a full-day of meetings. However, around the middle of the day Trudeau and Stoltenberg engaged with locals over lunch.
Elias said Trudeau and the federal ministers went table-to-table, introducing themselves and shaking people’s hands.
“It was nice to say hi to them in person,” he said.
Elias said he wished representatives for the hamlet or the Kitikmeot Inuit Association could have made opening speeches to welcome the dignitaries. That didn’t happen, though, as it was the Prime Minister’s Office that set up the schedule.
“There was no drum dancing, nothing [else] set up and I was a bit disappointed in that,” Elias said.
While he was not able to have a conversation with Stoltenberg, Elias said he would have liked to have talked about the need to step up Arctic sovereignty and defence.
With climate change melting the Northwest Passage, there are potential threats from that area becoming ice-free, Elias said. He said countries like Russia and China are also becoming more of a threat to the Arctic.
Elias said he would have spoken about the need for more federal funding for infrastructure, housing, health and education in Inuit Nunangat.
“Especially to hear from us, instead of a third party,” he said. “It would be very beneficial if we’re able to have a face-to-face.”
bubba like buzz of bee but that guy who is prime guy got no jokes
Bubba for Prime Minister, please!
Eekeeluak shoulda wrestled Justin heheh
This chance ahould have been put to good use. Instead of a meet and greet, or just a chance for 2 dignitaries to say they have been to “the arctic”. With Russia and China enhancing and making Arctic bases. These 2 should have been pressed to do the same.
When an incident happens in the arctic here, it is a few hour delay for cavalry from Southern Hemisphere. If we had a few bases/ports scattered along the arctic. The northern communities would have a chance of having some survivors. Instead of whole communities being wiped out by the time Canada/US responds.
Where are the Nunavut politicians. They should’ve been part of this conversation
Would have been a good photo op, but at the end of the day, when it comes to defence or international relations, the provinces and territories don’t really get a say, you know? Not within their wheelhouse.
Nunavut doesnt need anything. No education matters. Young people without education young people are a problem today. Disgusting place.
How did this disgusting comment ever get approved by the editors/moderators?
I found it rather comical that CBay’s mla posted selfies with people she doesn’t even associate with, even before she became a subpar mayor, she wouldn’t be caught taking selfies with them. Anything for good press though right?