QIA presents language award to 12 graduating students

Twelve Nunavut graduates are the recipients of an inaugural Qikiqtani Inuit Association award dedicated to preserving Inuktitut.

QIA announced the winners July 6 in a news release. 

The winning students were picked by high school principals from each community in the Qikitani region, QIA spokesperson Karen Flaherty told Nunatsiaq News.

 “We received recommendations for each of the schools to give these awards to exceptional students that were either fluent or has shown passion to better their Inuktitut skills,” she said in an email. 

A 13th recipient will be named later, once the school’s principal makes a selection.

The recipients were each presented with a $2,000 cheque and a plaque as part of the award during their graduation ceremonies in May and June this year. 

They are:

• Gamie Oqallak in Arctic Bay
• Jade Paniloo in Clyde River
• James Quanaq in Grise Fiord
• Charlotte Angugatsiaq in Igloolik
• Caroline Iqaluk in Iqaluit
• Kristen Temela in Kimmirut
• John Hayward in Kinngait
• Nolan Kugluguqtuq in Pangnirtung
• Susie Simonee in Pond Inlet
• Aasta Idlout in Resolute Bay
• Ayla Marie Kavik-Mickiyuk in Sanikiluaq
• Gloria Nangmalik in Sanirajak

The high school in Qikiqtarjuaq will determine the recipient of the award in the new school year.

The Joe Attagutaluk Inuktitut Language Award is named for QIA’s former secretary-treasurer who served as chair of the Kakivak Association, which is the organization’s community and economic development arm. This year was the first time QIA presented the award in memory of Attagutaluk, who died last year.