Snowmobiling to the floe edge, cod fishing, and attending community hall feasts are among Darlene Nuqingaq’s favourite memories of her three decades in Nunavut. (Photo courtesy of Darlene Nuqingaq)
Teacher loves Nunavut’s ever-changing beautiful sky
‘My Corner of Our Land’ – Nunatsiaq News readers reflect on Nunavut Day
To celebrate Nunavut Day, Nunatsiaq News invited readers to share what makes their corner of the territory special to them
Darlene Nuqingaq
The southern tip of Qikiqtani is very special to me especially the land and the people of Kimmirut and Iqaluit.
In August 1987 I was warmly welcomed into the small community of Kimmirut, and loved my three years living and teaching there.
Snowmobiling to the floe edge, cod fishing, attending community hall feasts and dances, and eating fresh deep-fried bannock are some of my favourite memories.
In 1990 I moved to Iqaluit and have lived here now for 33 years with my family and many friends, young and older.
Some of my favourite memories here are many wonderful years of Joamie School Spring Camping at Peterhead Inlet with our Grades 5 and 6 students; playing violin on the tundra behind my house with my fiddle students, travelling with my music students on many student exchanges, and sharing what we love best about our home with our visitors, and planning summer music camps.
I am proud of our land and the many beautiful people that live here.
I love watching our young students learning how to throat sing and drum dance and imitate the sounds and movements of nature around them. I enjoy seeing our children grow and learn and find their passion and share their talents with others.
The ever-changing beautiful sky celebrates the dawn and dusk of each day!
Like the title of one of my favourite locally written songs by Leena Evik and Ellen Hamilton declares: “I am home in Nunavut!”
Darlene Nuqingaq lives in Iqaluit.
Nunavut clearly made an impression on you. Thanks for sharing your story and your love for this land.