Ottawa puts on a party to celebrate Nunavut Day

Revellers endured Ottawa’s 27 C heat and packed the not-air-conditioned Rideau Community Hub on Wednesday to celebrate Nunavut Day in Canada’s capital.

For the first time, the City of Ottawa recognized Nunavut Day with a proclamation, readout at the start of the event by city council member Stephanie Plante on behalf of Mayor Mark Sutcliffe.

Ottawa Coun. Stephanie Plante, right, presents Sheena Akoomalik, performing arts co-ordinator for Isaruit Inuit Arts, with an official plaque from the City of Ottawa proclaiming July 9 as Nunavut Day. (Photo by Jorge Antunes)

Inuit are a part of the cultural fabric of Ottawa, said Plante, whose Rideau-Vanier ward is where many of Ottawa’s Inuit live.

“They contribute significantly to Ottawa society and make their home away from home here,” she said.

Inuit are raising future generations in the city, maintaining their culture, traditions and language, she said, which was why the city was officially celebrating Nunavut Day.

Plante said she hopes a more formal declaration will be made at city hall next year, and the Nunavut flag can be raised.

One celebrant, Janet Evvik, who is originally from Pangnirtung but has lived in Ottawa for 13 years, was asked what the biggest difference is between Nunavut Day in Ottawa versus Nunavut.

“It’s hot,” she said.

About 150 people filled the Rideau Community Hub, a former high school in the city’s east end and run by Isaruit Inuit Arts, a cultural and arts centre for Ottawa’s Inuit.

Attendees were visibly sweating in the summer heat at the same time Nunavummiut in Iqaluit celebrated at a reasonable 15 C. In Nunavut’s most northern hamlet, Grise Fiord, the high was 2 C according to Environment Canada.

In Ottawa, heat didn’t stop the Inuit games or jig dancing, though. As the music pumped through speakers, people rushed to the dance floor; young and old tapped their feet and yelled for others to join them.

The day seemed made for reunions as at least two groups of people came together like long-lost friends. A pair of women embraced, cried, laughed, spoke softly to each other and did not let go for several minutes.

Asked what she thought about the city’s proclamation, Evvik said:

“It’s about time.”