Kinngait high school graduate recognized for community leadership

Asiina Saila is this year’s recipient of the Kananginak Pootoogook Scholarship, worth $500.

The recent graduate from Peter Pitseolak Secondary School is a “really charming, dynamic young person with a lot of potential,” said William Huffman, executive manager for West Baffin Cooperative.

The co-operative gives the award each year to a graduating student from Kinngait’s Peter Pitseolak school who is a proven leader and has attained high academic achievement in their school life.

Saila received the award during the high school’s recent graduation ceremony in June.

Though the award is modest at $500, “it is symbolically to encourage them to continue their studies or continue to be engaged in an academic environment,” Huffman said.

“Kananginak Pootoogook is one of our most famous artists. He is a good example of someone that was an innovator during his time and in the early days of the co-operative and one of the founding members.”

Pootoogook posthumously gained international attention and continues to be celebrated, making him the “perfect namesake” for the award, said Huffman.

The co-operative, which produces Inuit art purchased by people all over the world, sees part of its role as being cultural ambassadors for Inuit, Huffman said.

“What we are trying to do with our artists and with this award is to instigate and inspire people from the community to also take on that role,” he said.