NTI planning a space age Nunavut Day next week

IQALUIT — Canadian astronaut Julie Payette and the crew of NASA’s recent Space Shuttle mission will rendezvous with Inuit elders at Nakasuk School next week to launch Nunavut Day ’99.

The day-long festivities, sponsored by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. will get underway Wednesday, July 9 at 10 a.m. with greetings from NTI President Jose Kusugak, Iqaluit Mayor Jimmy Kilabuk and Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik.

Payette, who recently completed a journey to the international space station, wants to speak with local children about her life as a scientist and an astronaut, and has asked specifically to talk with elders about traditional Inuit astonomy, NTI spokesman Kurt Eegeesiak said.

Inuit astronomy was the subject of a book published last year by Nunavut author John MacDonald.

“They want to sort of relate that whole angle to the Inuit history of the stars,” Eeegesiak said.

The link up is scheduled in the morning at the children’s storytelling tent.

This will be the fifth Nunavut Day celebration since it was proclaimed by NTI on July 9, 1993, the day the Nunavut Land Claim agreement was signed in Kugluktuk, clearing the way for the creation of Canada’s youngest territory.

Day-long festivities include live entertainment by the local band Uvagut, as well as other performers, bannock-making and traditional Inuit games.

As has become a tradition on Nunavut Day, games of crib, checkers and scrabble are also being organized and prizes will be awarded. Those who would like to sign up for these games can do so by contacting Ineak at 979-3232.

Caribou stew, hot dogs, cake and beverages will be served on site.

In the event that weather is unsuitable, the whole celebration will be moved to the curling rink.

NTI has given each Nunavut community $1,000 to put on their own Nunavut Day celebrations.

After a caucus retreat in Baker Lake two weeks ago, the Nunavut Government said that some sort of official government recognition of Nunavut Day is under consideration.

A decision on the government’s position and the possibility of declaring July 9 a holiday was expected this week following cabinet meetings in Apex.

“It’s not really on the agenda to discuss but I assume they have to discuss it this week if we want to get something for next week out,” Judith Pereira, information officer with the Department of the Executive said.

Last year, the Government of the Northwest Territories allowed a half-day holiday for those employees who are beneficiaries of the Nunavut land claims agreement.