(October 20, 2020 – Cambridge Bay, Nunavut) Annually the President of Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated awards three Inuit who have made significant contributions in promoting the economic, social and cultural well-being of fellow Inuit. Each recipient will be presented with an award of $500.
At the 2020 NTI Annual General Meeting in Cambridge Bay, President Kotierk recognized the following Inuit for their contributions:
Louie Bruce, Coral Harbour
Louie Bruce is an active leader in his community of Salliq, Nunavut. He planned, built and developed the longest private access road from Coral Harbour to Akearuqnak, Duke of York Bay with his own company Sudliq Developments Limited. The road provides Sallirmiut with access to one of the richest hunting areas for both marine mammals and fish. Akearuqnak has long been a valuable location because of its rich wildlife including polar bears, narwhale, beluga and seals. In addition, the road provides a linkage and connection with Naujaamiut who also use it. With his leadership, Louie Bruce opened the access road so that the future generation can benefit both culturally and economically.
Agnes Panioyak, Kugluktuk
Agnes Panioyak is a well known and experienced seamstress from Kugluktuk, Nunavut. She enjoys teaching younger Inuit women who are eager to learn traditional Inuit methods of sewing including, making patterns, preparing material and using different tools. Most recently Agnes worked as a puhitaq instructor. The puhitaq or sunburst fur ruff is known to be particularly superior to others, requiring care and attention to make. With Agnes’ expertise and willingness to share, Inuinnaq culture and language transmission can occur among younger Inuinnait in the Kitikmeot and Inuvialuit.
Leena Evic, Iqaluit
Leena Evic is the founder and President of Pirurvik Centre, the Nunavut based, centre of excellence for Inuit language, culture and well being. Leena has built Pirurvik’s success by keeping the emphasis on teaching Inuktut and Inuit ways as a way to ensure our language and culture remains strong. Over the past year Pirurvik Centre has grown to offer three new full time Inuktut language courses in partnership with the University of Victoria. At a critical point in Nunavut’s history, when Inuktut language use is declining at 1% per year, Pirurvik Centre is ramping up their programs to address this crisis by introducing three key programs: Inuktut as a Second Language certificate program, Inuktut as a First Language Enhancement Program and the Inuktut Instructor Diploma program.
Heartfelt congratulations and appreciation to Louie Bruce, Agnes Panioyak and Leena Evic. Your contributions help make Nunavut a better place for all of us.
Karen Flaherty
Assistant Director of Communications
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated
Tel: (867) 975-4900 Toll-free: 1-888-646-0006
