Iqaluit celebrates diversity on Canada Day
Parade, bouncy castles and chili return for festivities marking country’s 158th birthday
The bike-to-bouncy castle ratio explains the long lineup on the Nakasuk Elementary School grounds during Tuesday’s Canada Day festivities in Iqaluit. (Photo by Daron Letts)
RCMP Const. Matthew Zorz flips pancakes in the kitchen in Iqaluit’s Arctic Winter Games Arena on Tuesday. (Photo by Daron Letts)
Braids, turbans, hijabs, helmets and plenty of ball caps adorned the heads of the wide array of revellers and volunteers celebrating Canada Day in Iqaluit on Tuesday.
Diversity was among the day’s themes, as red-and-white regalia mixed with orange T-shirts and rainbows of various shapes and sizes.
“It’s a perfect time to highlight what we believe in in Canada as a multicultural country,” said Keturah D.B., who has shortened her name to two initials, and who chose to wear orange.
“It’s really important to acknowledge, on Canada Day especially, that every child matters.”
A pancake breakfast packed the Arctic Winter Games Arena lobby Tuesday morning, as the youngest children burned off steam playing on the open field.
RCMP Const. Matthew Zorz flipped pancakes and cooked sausages early in the morning on the BeaverTails grill, while his colleagues in the RCMP, fire department and Department of Fisheries and Oceans staff volunteered elsewhere.
“I’m happy to help out however I can,” Zorz said, citing the hands-on approach embraced by officers in the force’s community policing program.
Emma Nadrowski, right, doles out whipped cream alongside co-workers Amare Castillo, left, and Kayla Tikiuik during the Canada Day pancake breakfast at the Arctic Winter Games Arena. (Photo by Daron Letts)
More than a dozen RCMP officers in red serge led the Canada Day parade at noon.
Dozens of floats participated, including entries from the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Pride committee, and The People United, an advocacy group displaying solidarity with Palestine. Thousands of people lined the parade route.
“It went great,” said Meral Jamal, a co-organizer of The People United. “We got a lot of support from a lot of people reaffirming that every child matters — a lot of cheering.”
Volunteer parade marshal Don Kunuk sported perhaps the most colourful costume of the day. He was bedecked in fluorescent orange and yellow safety gear with a rainbow flag perched in his red and white ballcap, his face illuminated with a smile.
Two bouncy castles attracted children like magnets to the Nakasuk Elementary School grounds, while adults lined up for homemade chili, handed out by members of the Iqaluit fire department.
The afternoon ended with live music and face-painting, which wrapped up before 3 p.m.
Scarlet Nowdlak, 3, presents her balloon bike to judges during the bike-decorating contest at the Arctic Winter Games arena, on Canada Day. Nowdlak won a fluorescent football a her sixth place prize. (Photo by Daron Letts)
The Hamlet of Iqaluit celebrates its diversity?? How I laugh at the naivette (sp) of the journalist who wrote this article. The Hamlet has the most racist residents anywhere within Nunavut. One only needs to follow the many feeds and Rant and rave articles on Facebook to see how much racism exists.
And to have the supporters of terrorists be in the Canada Day parade is beyond me. And before you jump on me, remember that the Palestinians elected Hamas to run their country. And now cry foul.
So now, Iqaluit residents need to rethink their racist issues before bragging about how diverse they are.
I dunno man, I’d rather support a people’s forced to fight against a genocidal apartheid regime then said genocidal apartheid regime that kills children, civilians, and even their own. (Read about the Hannibal Directive if you don’t believe it)
Complaining about racism and then equating all Palestinians to terrorists has to been the most ironic post ever posted to Nunatsiaq. No one’s choice of government several decades ago justifies murdering them and forcing them off of their homes. This isn’t a fringe or extremist view either, the murder of Palestinians by Israel was found to be a genocide by the International Criminal Court and arrest warrants were issued for those responsible.
Your thoughts on what Iqaluit may be based on one view of it, ie. Rant and Rave, is also ridiculous to say the least. While some of the most loud and ridiculous residents may post there, most people here in Iqaluit are actually welcoming and inclusive.