Popular CBC radio host says farewell

SARA ARNATSIAQ

More than 50 people came to the Iqaluit parish hall last week to witness Moses Atagooyuk’s farewell radio broadcast of his popular “Tausunni” show, which airs on CBC daily from 1:30 until 3 p.m.

Atagooyuk started working for CBC radio in February 1981.

Family members, friends, CBC colleagues and various Nunavut dignitaries came to wish him happy trails, and to present him with gifts to show their appreciation for his 23 years of service.

Two television monitors were placed beside the stage displaying images from his life, black-and-white photos of him as a younger man, and as the years rolled on and technology advanced, colour photos as he grew older.

Former colleagues recalled how they used reel-to-reel tapes, big clunky microphones, and worked in a trailer before the permanent home of the Iqaluit CBC station was built, way before arrival of digital recorders.

CBC staff made a short video presentation thanking him for his years of service and wishing him well on his hunting trips. Some said that although they knew his retirement was coming up, they did not expect it to happen so soon.

Nancy Karetak-Lindell, the MP for Nunavut, sent a tape expressing her gratitude.

Monica Ell, a former co-host of the “Tausunni” show who now works with Nunavut Tunngavik Inc., presented him with a gift on behalf of the land claims organization.

Atagooyuk’s grandson, Paul-André Brasseur, played the flute for his grandfather. After he played his flute, he received a kiss from his beloved grandfather in an emotional gesture.

Atagooyuk is also the second recipient of the Elijah Manirajak Award, which was presented to him by Jeannie Arreak-Kudlualik, CBC radio’s coordinating producer.

Elijah Manirajak was the first Inuktitut radio host. He believed that through the medium of radio, cultural values could be preserved and enhanced.

Manirajak fought to have Inuktitut and Cree languages broadcast. He later went on to host a television show on Taqramiut Nipingat Inc.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all. Like, walking down the street, people don’t really acknowledge you and stuff. As it turns out, these people do care, listen to you on air, and before I knew it, the show was over,” Atagooyuk said with a laugh.

“Broadcasting in Inuktitut so that the language is not limited, but rather enhanced, and having a trainee would be very favorable, especially when we have Nunavut now. The show’s future, so that it is not taken over by white people, the English language, is very important. The show needs to continue to improve and advance, that’s the only way. This is where I am concerned, and I am thinking that that’s the only direction it should take.”

People who tuned in regularly, colleagues, and former colleagues all agreed that Atagooyuk is a welcoming person, a mentor, a reminder of cultural values, has a way of laughing that is so familiar that it’s comforting — and will truly be missed on the airwaves.