Iqaluit celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with food, music

Iqalummiut braved the wind and occasional rain Wednesday to get out and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day.

“It’s a perfect day to celebrate, have food and get together with the community,” said Cassidy-Ann Netser, a city employee who helped organize one of the events.

National Indigenous Peoples Day was designated by the federal government in 2017 to celebrate Indigenous Peoples and their culture and heritage.

It’s held on June 21 to coincide with the summer solstice, the longest day of the year.

In Iqaluit, multiple events marked the day.

“It’s a perfect day to celebrate, have food and get together with the community,” Cassidy-Ann Netser said of National Indigenous Peoples Day. (Photo by David Lochead)

The City of Iqaluit and the fire department held a barbecue at Iqaluit Square that was scheduled to start at lunchtime.

They were forced to open early though, around 10:30 a.m., when people noticed them setting up and started to line up for food, said Netser, who helped prepare the barbecue.

By just after 1 p.m., she said about 300 people were able to get food.

The day was a mix of sun, clouds and light rain but most noticeable was the wind, which blew at gusts of 41 km/h, according to the Weather Network.

“It’s a good day,” said Salumunie Lyta, who came out to celebrate. “It’s special to me.”

Salumunie Lyta was at the town square barbecue. “It’s special to me,” he said of National Indigenous Peoples Day. (Photo by David Lochead)

The city also delivered burgers and hot dogs to elders in the Elders Qammaq.

“I’m just happy they’re doing it,” Jimmy Naulaq said of the barbecue.

On the other side of town, Aqsarniit Hotel marked National Indigenous Peoples Day by having its belated grand opening.

The hotel actually opened in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic put a damper on any plans to celebrate back then.

On Wednesday, it offered live musical performances, a barbecue and a raffle to celebrate.

Looee Arreak was one of the performers, as was the Nancy and Friends quartet which included Nancy Mike throat singing and playing accordion, Leanna Wilson with vocals and throat singing, Jaqqa Petersen on drums and Andrew Morrison providing vocals and guitar.

Items raffled off included a qamutiik, a small wooden boat and smaller items such as ulus.

The weather presented a challenge for the outdoor event held in the Aqsarniit parking lot, said Stephen Sullivan, director of hospitality for Qikiqtaaluk Corp.

“We tried to have a fun day, be inclusive [and be] community-oriented,” he said.

For the four-hour event, 700 to 800 people showed up, he said.

Throughout the day, the city also offered ice skating at the old arena, a public swim at the Aquatic Centre and free turf at the Arctic Winter Games arena.