Inuit leaders honoured at Rideau Hall investiture ceremony

Five community leaders with connections to Nunavut and Nunavik were honoured by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon at a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Wednesday.

Held on National Peoples Indigenous Day, it highlighted the achievements of Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders across the country who have made positive contributions to Canada, including work supporting reconciliation and Indigenous peoples.

Appointees and recipients were recognized for their innovation and contributions to their communities with the Order of Canada or the Meritorious Service Decoration, civil division.

“This is a great day to recognize those who have carried us forward, towards a greater understanding of our history and our truth,” Simon said to the honourees.

“I’m grateful that you’re here. I’m grateful, because you each carry within you stories of resilience, dedication and excellence.

“Whether Indigenous or non-Indigenous, whether directly or indirectly, all of you share a commitment to improving the lives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. This is part of reconciliation. We could not have come this far without your efforts,” she said.

Three Inuit leaders were made Members of the Order of Canada.

Makivvik Corp. president Pita Aatami, of Kuujjuaq, was honoured for his work serving Nunavik and northern communities.

He led negotiations for the Nunavik Inuit Land Claim Agreement with the Government of Canada. Aatami has also served as president of Air Inuit and on the boards of the Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada, the National Aboriginal Economic Development Board and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Charlie Kakotok Evalik, of Cambridge Bay, was honoured for playing a leading role in the social and economic development of Nunavut.

He was a chief negotiator for the Tunngavik Federation, collaborated on the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement settlement and helped fulfill its terms as president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

Evalik is also a founding member of the Nunavut Resources Corp., which he co-created to diversify the economy and attract investment capital to the region.

Arviat’s Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell was the first Member of Parliament elected for Nunavut when the riding was newly established. She was made a member of the Order of Canada for her dedication to representing northern and Inuit communities, helping to advance Indigenous affairs, northern development and natural resources.

Karetak-Lindell was also the first woman to serve as Member of Parliament in the eastern Arctic and has used her voice to encourage young women to become active in their communities.

Julia Ogina, program co-ordinator for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, received the Meritorious Service Medal for her work revitalizing Inuit language and organizing the Stories Told Through Drum Dance project, which brought traditional drum dancing and singing back to her community of Cambridge Bay.

Also a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal was high school teacher Julie E. Lohnes-Cashin, of Nova Scotia, who founded the Nasivvik Music Club to give students the chance to learn and play both traditional Inuit and popular music.

Now called the Tusarnaarniq Sivumut Association – Music for the Future, the club organizes workshops in Nunavut that help connect youth with professional performers.

The ceremony also included the lighting of a qulliq, a throat singing performance by Inuk artist Qattuu, and folk dancing by performers Prairie Fire.

The ceremony ended with the installation of a crocheted reconciliation-themed artwork by Métis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers outside the Princess Anne entrance to Rideau Hall.

Simon participated in the installation by crocheting alongside Chambers. The crocheted piece is part of the Hope and Healing Canada initiative and is the first public artwork by a Métis artist displayed on the grounds of Rideau Hall.

See below for photos from the ceremony.