Nunavut Commissioner Nellie Kusugak came to Iglulik on May 7 to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations, including the fire department and search and rescue group.

The dedicated volunteer firefighters and search and search and rescue specialists were not present for the full ceremony, however, because they were called away on urgent matters.

Two missing individuals were successfully located and a fire at the landfill was blowing choking smoke into the community when the wind changed direction.

SA国际影视传媒淲e had to put it out so the town wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 smell like the dump,SA国际影视传媒� said firefighter Julius Kappianaq, adding that it took from 5:30 p.m. until midnight to extinguish the burning rubble.

Even though they couldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be on hand to accept their awards, the nine members of the fire crew felt honoured, said Kappianaq, who has almost three years experience with the volunteer brigade.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was very happy to get the CommissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 awards and my firefighters were very proud of themselves after getting the CommissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 awards,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淢y motivation is to keep everyone safe and for everyone to have a place to stay, to eat and sleep.SA国际影视传媒�

Among the individual award winners was Noah Amaaq, who was hailed for bravery. He risked his own life to help save a mother with a three-month-old child, a seven-year-old boy and a hunter after their qamutik broke through the ice last June, according to the CommissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 office.

Also saluted for heroism was Solomon Mikki, who rescued two hunters who were submerged after their boat overturned.

Another lifesaver is Cynthia Alaralak, who earned a CommissionerSA国际影视传媒檚 humanitarian award for coming to the aid of a woman.

The Nunavut Arts award went to the prolific Susan Avinngaq, a champion of Inuit culture. That distinction comes with a $5,000 cheque.

Aime Panimera was presented with the Sovereigns medal for volunteers, which came from the Governor GeneralSA国际影视传媒檚 office. Panimera has been a local radio host every Saturday morning for more than 10 years.

The communitySA国际影视传媒檚 Ranger patrol and the Tuukkaq Society, a committee of elders who provide language and cultural guidance, were among the other award recipients.

The Hamlet of Igloolik issued some awards of its own at the ceremony, lauding the efforts of local dog mushers who competed in the recent Nunavut Quest race and hockey players who prevailed at the Qamutik Cup tournament in Arctic Bay.

Close to 75 people attended the ceremony held at the community hall, which was followed by a feast. Deputy mayor Joanna Quassa, who took part in the festivities, said the crowd might have been larger if it wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 for a flu outbreak afflicting many residents.