Nunavut Day is special for Cambridge BaySA国际影视传媒檚 Jamie Taipana.
The holiday, which falls on July 9 each year, commemorates the passing of the Nunavut Act and the official beginnings of the territory as we know it today.
TaipanaSA国际影视传媒檚 father Simon was one of many Inuit involved in the negotiations that led to that critical moment in history.
SA国际影视传媒淢y father was part of a team SA国际影视传媒� a group of people who must be recognized,SA国际影视传媒� he said from the Cambridge Bay hamlet office, where he serves as the assistant chief administrative officer. SA国际影视传媒淚t wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 just one person who brought Nunavut to fruition.SA国际影视传媒�
Taipana remembers going long stretches without seeing his father, who spent much of his time in Ottawa and communities in the Northwest Territories, doing his part to make Nunavut a reality.
He says it was difficult when his father was travelling SA国际影视传媒� for his whole family SA国际影视传媒� but it helped him appreciate the great sacrifices that led to NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 inception.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was so hard watching my dad be away, but it had to be done,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e have to recognize the families that were left behind.
SA国际影视传媒淲ithout their sacrifice, Nunavut wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be here.SA国际影视传媒�
This year, Taipana plans to teach his eight-year-old daughter about the history of the territory, and ruminate on the things he loves about their home.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l celebrate by remembering everything that our fathers and uncles and family fought for, and talking to our daughter,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚 just like to remind her of what Nunavut is, and what her grandfather fought for, and to appreciate what they did.
SA国际影视传媒淣unavut has so much opportunity,SA国际影视传媒� he added. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 crucial that we all work together like our uncles, aunts, fathers and mothers did before us.
SA国际影视传媒淚 know theySA国际影视传媒檙e watching over us and theySA国际影视传媒檙e proud of what weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing.SA国际影视传媒�
Wearing the colours
Andrea Niptanatiak, a child and youth outreach worker from Kugluktuk, also feels special appreciation for Nunavut Day.
She will be on a work trip in Yellowknife for this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 celebration, but will be thinking warmly of home on July 9.
SA国际影视传媒淣unavut Day will be on my mind, of course,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a day we normally get together and have a barbecue and enjoy each otherSA国际影视传媒檚 company, but I wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be there.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檒l be missing my family and friends, but ISA国际影视传媒檒l be wearing Nunavut Day colours.SA国际影视传媒�
For Niptanatiak, family and togetherness arenSA国际影视传媒檛 just what make Nunavut Day special SA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 what makes the entire territory special.
SA国际影视传媒淲hat I like about Nunavut is the people SA国际影视传媒� the comfort of people and the comfort of being home,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淓verybody knows each other, and we look out for one another.SA国际影视传媒�
SA国际影视传媒淚f weSA国际影视传媒檙e just going to the store, we know everybody there, and everybody is happy and smiling and always willing to give a helping hand.SA国际影视传媒�
While Niptanatiak feels there is plenty to love about Nunavut, she admits there are areas where the territory must be improved, pointing specifically to the ongoing housing crisis.
SA国际影视传媒淭he one thing that is at the top of the list for me is housing availability,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 know itSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of work, but itSA国际影视传媒檚 something thatSA国际影视传媒檚 needed for each community. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 2023 now, and there are a lot of people that still have eight to 10 people in a two- or three-bedroom home.SA国际影视传媒�
Taipana agrees the housing crisis must be resolved, and also sees addictions as a serious concern in Nunavut.
SA国际影视传媒淲e need addiction support for everyone thatSA国际影视传媒檚 struggles with it,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 a huge one. If we can get support from local governments, the Government of Nunavut, right to the top with the federal government, if we can start working on that, thatSA国际影视传媒檚 a good first step.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a hard thing being up here in Nunavut, but if we work together, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 so much more we can do.SA国际影视传媒�
Nunavut Day will be celebrated in communities across the territory.
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI), the organization that represents NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 Inuit, will be taking the lead on the festivities.
This year, NTI is organizing celebrations in all of the communities where it has offices: Rankin Inlet, Cambridge Bay and Iqaluit SA国际影视传媒� and itSA国际影视传媒檚 funding festivities in the communities where it does not have a physical presence.
The biggest celebration will occur in Iqaluit, where NTI will treat attendees to live music, delicious food and plenty of fun and games.
The land claims organization will also be facilitating in-person and online contests for Nunavut Day, with $97,000 worth of prizes, according to Ivaluarjuk Merritt, NTISA国际影视传媒檚 assistant director of communications.
The contests will be open to all Inuit in Nunavut, and include a kids colouring contest, a creative arts challenge, a home-cook challenge and a decorating contest that allows participants to decorate any physical space of their choosing. The specifics of the contests can be found on NTISA国际影视传媒檚 Facebook page.
The organization will also facilitate draws across the territory, with snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and hunting equipment up for grabs. The winners of those draws will be announced on Nunavut Day.
