Premier mourns 103-year-old elder as ‘inspiration to so many Nunavummiut’
Qapik Attagutsiak one of the last surviving Inuit who collected bones to aid Canada’s Second World War effort
From left, Premier P.J. Akeeagok and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visit Qapik Attagutsiak in Arctic Bay in 2019. Akeeagok announced Monday that Attagutsiak died at the age of 103. (Photo courtesy of P.J. Akeeagok’s office)
Qapik Attagutsiak, a well-known 103-year-old elder from Arctic Bay, has died, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok announced Monday.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I mourn the loss of beloved elder Qapik Attagutsiak,” Akeeagok said in a statement on social media.
“She was an inspiration to so many Nunavummiut, demonstrating connection to our culture, language and cherished traditions.”
Attagutsiak was known for many feats and accomplishments in her long life.
She was believed to be one of the last living Inuit who collected bones during the early 1940s to support Canada’s Second World War effort. The bones were used to manufacture cordite, an explosive substance used in artillery shells.
In an interview in 2020, she said she remembered filling three 125-pound bags a day full of bones for one week.
In recent years, various organizations including Parks Canada and the Indigenous national charity Indspire honoured her for her life and legacy.
In 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Akeeagok visited Attagutsiak in Arctic Bay, where Trudeau said he had a conversation with her that he’d “never forget.”
According to a 2020 Nunatsiaq News article, Attagutsiak was born on June 11, 1920, at a place called Siuraq, located between Igluligaarjuk (Chesterfield Inlet) and Coral Harbour, in the Kivalliq region.
On Monday, a family member said in a Facebook post that final arrangements are being made regarding the death of Attagutsiak, including an obituary that is to come.
Nunavut Justice Minister David Akeeagok, who represents Quttiktuq in the legislative assembly, shared a tribute on Facebook.
“She has had [a] profound impact to a lot of us in her most humble approach to life,” David Akeeagok said.
“She will be missed dearly but we are comforted to know she has lived a long life.”
Rest in peace MS. Attagutsiak ! , god speed
At 103 shows it shows of Qapik’s will to live long which with luck good genes and health keeps one going. Condolences to friends and family. Bones to grind to make cordite is another interesting bit as the town of Iqaluit itself was built up for war purposes as were many towns such as Gander and Goose Bay. War is still a huge multi billion dollar racket to this day, but we seem never to learn as the anti-war song artists pf their day have sang, Where have all the flowers gone.