Kivalliq News June 28

ᐊᖑᑎ ᒪᒥᓴᖅᓂᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᕋᓴᖓᓐᓂᒃ ᖃᖅᑐᖃᓚᓚᐅᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ

Man reflects on journey to recover from stroke

ᖃᒪᓂᑦᑐᐊᒃᓂ ᓴᓗᒻᒪᖅᓴᐃᓯᒋᐊᖅᐳᑦ ᓄᓇᓕᐊᓂᑦ ᑲᖏᖅᖠᓂᖅ ᐊᓯᐅᔨᕗᓂᖃᖅᐳ ᖃᖓᑕᖅᑕᓲᒥᒃ ᑎᒥᓱᑯᑦ

Rankin Inlet losing flight services veteran Baker Lake rounds up litter and prizes

of Arviat, left, is presented with the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21. Photo courtesy Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᖅᐹᖅ

ᓄᓇᕗᒧ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᔨᕕᓂᖅ ᑲᑎᒪᕕᒡᔪᐊᕐᒥᑦ

ᐃᖃᐅᒪᓇᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᓴᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᖃᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᓇᓐᓯ

ᖃᕆᑕᖅ-ᓕᓐᑎᐊ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᖃᖤᑕᐃᓐᓇᕐᒪᑦ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᖅᐸᖅ

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᒥᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ, ᐊᑐᕙ ᐱᓇᓱᐊᕈᓯᕆᓴᖅᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ.

ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᖃᓚᐅᖅᑐᒐᓗᐊᖅ ᔪᓚᐃ 2022, ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᑲᑎᒪᓂᕆᔭᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᑭᖑᕙᓯᒃᓯᒪᓂᖏᓐᓄᑦ ᓄᕙᖕᓇᕐᔪᐊᖅ ᐱᔾᔪᑎᒋᓪᓗᒍ ᐅᑕᕿᑐᐃᓇᕆᐊᖃᕐᓂᖓᓂ ᐊᕋᒍᑦ ᒪᕐᕈᒃ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᒪᕆᓚᐅᖏᓂᖓᓂᒃ.

ᐊᓱᐃᓚᒃ ᑕᕿᐅᓵᖅᑐᒥ, ᑲᕗᓄ ᔭᓄᕈ ᑕᕿᐅᓵᖅᑐᒥᒃ ᒥᐊᓕ ᓴᐃᒪᓐ ᐃᓕᓴᖅᓯᓂᖃᕈᒪᓕᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑦ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᖄᓯᒪᔪᑦ ᑎᑯᐊᖅᑕᐅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ, ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᖃᖁᓪᓗᒋᑦ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᕋᓱᒃᖢᑎᒃ ᓄᓇᖃᖅᖄᖅᓯᒪᔪᓂᒃ. ᔪᓂ ᑉᖕ.

ᖃᕆᑕᖅ ᓕᓐᑎᐊ ᐅᖃᖅᑐᖅ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᓂ ᐱᑯᓇᑲᓐᓂᒻᒪᕆᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ ᐃᓄᖃᑎᒥᓂ ᑐᓐᓂᕆᔭᐅᓪᓗᓂ, ᑐᑭᓯᖃᑎᒋᒃᖢᑎᒡᓗ ᐃᓄᖃᑎᒋᒃᑲᒥᒃ.

ᑕᒪᓐᓇ ᐊᓯᐊᓂᒃ ᑐᑭᖃᒻᒪᕆᒪᐅᖅᑐᖅ, ᖃᕆᑕᖅ ᓕᓐᑕᐊ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ, ᑲᒪᒋᒻᒪᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᖓ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᕐᒥᓂᒃ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᐸᖑᖃᑕᐅᔪᒥᒃ

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᒥᒃ ᑲᓇᑕᒥ.

ᑐᓴᔾᔭᕋᓱᒋᓚᐅᖏᑦᑕᕋ ᐃᒪᓐᓇᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ.

ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᒥᒃ ᖁᑎᖕᓂᖅᐸᖅ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᒥᒃ ᐊᑐᕙᒥ

ᐃᒡᓗᕋᓛᕐᒥᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ ᓯᓚᑕᓂᑦᑎᐊᖅ, ᔪ ᖃᓗᔾᔭᕐᓗ ᐅᐸᒃᓯᒪᕙᒃᑕᑦᑎᓐᓂ, ᐅᖃᓗᒡᕕᐅᑎᓪᓗᖓ ᖁᒃᓴᓪᓚᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ, ᐃᓱᒪᓕᖅᖢᖓᓗ ᖃᓄᐃᒻᒪᑦ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᑕᕐᒪᖓᕐᒪ.

ᐊᒪᓗ ᐃᓱᒪᒃᑲᓂᓕᕆᓪᓕᖓ, ᐅᕙᓂᒃ ᑎᒃᑯᐊᖅᓯᓚᐅᖅᑐᑦ ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᖕᓂᖃᕋᒥᒃ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕆᓚᐅᖅᑕᓐᓂᑦ ᐃᓄᖕᓄᑦ ᐃᓄᖏᓐᓄᓪᓗ. ᐱᕋᔮᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅ ᐅᕙᓐᓄᓪᓕ. ᐊᖏᖅᓯᒪᓇᓱᒃᖢᖑ

ᐊᑎᖃᖃᑕᐅᓂᐊᓕᕐᓂᕐᓂᑦ.

ᖃᕆᑕᖅ-ᓕᓐᑎᐊ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᖃᑕᖑᑎᒋᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᕙᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᖕᒪᑕ ᐃᑲᔪᕐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᒪᓗ ᐃᑲᔪᖃᑎᒋᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ, ᐃᑲᔪᕈᒪᓂᕐᒧᑐᐃᓐᓇᖅ.

ᐅᖃᕆᕗᖅ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᓂᕐᒥᓂᓪᓗ ᐊᔪᖏᓂᖓ ᐊᑐᕐᓘᑎᖏᓪᓗᒍ, ᐅᕙᓗᓂ ᑕᑯᔭᐅᕐᓘᑎᖃᑦᑕᕐᓂᐊᖅᑐᖅ, ᓇᖕᒥᓂᖅᓱᕋᓱᒃᑯᓂ.

ᓄᓇᕗᒻᒧᑦ ᑭᒡᒐᖅᑐᐃᕙᒃᑎᓪᓗᖓ ᐱᕕᖃᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ ᐃᓄᖕᓂ ᐱᓕᕆᖃᑎᒋᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ, ᐃᓕᑦᑎᑦᑕᕐᕕᒋᓪᓗᒋᓪᓗ ᓄᓇᓕᑦ. ᐊᕐᕕᐊᓂᑐᐃᓇᐅᖏᑦᑐᖅ-ᑭᕙᓪᓕᕐᒥ, ᓄᓇᕗᓕᒪᒥ. ᐃᑲᔪᕋᓱᒃᐸᓚᐅᖅᐳᖓ ᐊᕿᐅᒪᑎᓇᓱᒃᖢᒋᑦ. ᑲᑎᒪᔨᐅᓪᓕᓂ ᐱᕕᖃᖅᑎᓚᐅᖅᐸᖓ ᐊᐅᓪᓚᑲᑕᖕᓂᕐᒥᒃ

ᓇᓐᓯ ᐅᖂᔪᖅ ᖃᕆᑕᖅ-ᓕᓐᑎᐊ ᐊᕐᕕᐊᕐᒥᐅᑕᖅ ᑕᓕᖅᐱᖕᒥᑦ, ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᓂᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᖁᑦᑎᖕᓂᐹᖑᖃᑕᐅᔪᒥᒃ ᐃᓕᓴᕆᔭᐅᔪᑎᒥᒃ

ᑕᑯᖃᑕᐅᑎᓂᕐᒥᓪᓗ ᐃᓂᖃᑎᓐᓂᑦ, ᓄᓇᓕᖕᓂᑦ ᐊᓯᐊᓂᑦ. ᒪᑯᒃᑐᑦ ᐱᓇᔪᖁᓚᐅᖅᓯᒪᕙᒃᑲ, ᓴᐱᓕᖅᐸᖏᓪᓕᑎᒡᓗ, ᐱᔪᒪᔭᖏᑦ ᐱᓇᓱᒡᓗᓂᒋᑦ, ᐅᖃᐅᔭᐅᒐᓗᐊᖅᐸᑕ ᐊᔪᕐᓂᐊᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂᒃ. ᓇᓚᒃᐸᖏᓪᓗᒋᑦ.

ᖃᕆᑕᖅ-ᓕᓐᑎᐊ ᐅᖃᖅᐳᖅ ᑭᖑᓪᓕᐅᓂᖅᓴᐅᒐᒥ , ᐱᓕᕆᔭᐅᓯᒪᓂᒃᑐᓂᒃ ᐊᓯᐊᓂᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᖃᓚᐅᕋᒥ. ᑭᓯᐊᓂ ᓱᓕ ᐊᒃᓱᕈᕐᓇᖅᑐᖅᓯᐅᖃᑕᓚᐅᖅᐳᖅ.

ᐅᕙᒍᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᕆᐊᖅᑎᑕᐅᓯᒪᓂᑯᒐᑦᑕ ᑐᓴᖅᑕᐅᔭᕆᐊᖃᖅᑐᒍᑦ ᐊᕿᒋᐊᕆᐊᓕᒃᑯᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᐊᑦᑎᓂ.

ᑭᓯᐊᓂᓕ ᑕᑯᓪᓗᒍ ᑭᖑᒻᒧᑦ ᓴᖏᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐱᓯᒪᓂᕗᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᑎᒍᑦ, ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕗᑦ ᐃᓕᖁᓯᑦᑎᓐᓂᓪᓗ ᐊᓯᐅᑎᑕᐅᓇᓱᒃᑲᓗᐊᖅᑎᓪᓗᒍ ᐱᓯᒪᑦᑎᐊᖏᓐᓇᕋᑦᙱᒍᑦ ᐃᓄᒃᑐᑦ. ᐊᔪᕐᓇᖏᑉᐸᓕᕈᑎᒋᕙ ᑲᔪᓯᑎᓐᓂᕐᒥᒃ ᐊᕿᒃᓯᒪᓂᒃᑲᒥ.

ᑐᓴᑦᑎᐊᖏᓐᓇᖅᐳᒋᑦ ᐱᓕᕆᔨᑎᐊᕙᐅᖕᒪᑕ, ᐅᒃᐱᕈᓱᒃᐳᖓ ᐊᓯᔾᔩᔪᓐᓇᕐᓂᖏᓐᓂ ᐊᑲᐅᔪᒃᑯᑦ.

ᓱᑲᐃᑦᑐᒐᓗᐊᖅ ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᖃᐅᓯᕐᒥᖕᓂᑦ ᐃᓕᓐᓂᐊᒃᑲᓐᓂᕐᓂᖅᓴᐅᓕᖅᖢᑎᒃ, ᐃᓕᖁᓯᕐᒥᖕᓂᓪᓗ. ᓄᓇᓖᓪᓗ ᐅᓗᕆᐊᓇᖏᑦᑐᑰᖅᑎᑕᐅᓇᓱᒃᖢᑎᒃ.

Honour of the highest order

Former Nunavut MP accepts the Order of Canada in Ottawa

It was a momentous day for the Kivalliq’s Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell when she was officially presented with the Order of Canada in Ottawa this past week.

The former Nunavut MP said she was actually awarded the Order of Canada in July 2022 but, because of the personal ceremonies falling behind due to the pandemic, she was told it may take up to two years before she officially received it. Then, about a month ago, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon decided she was going to award all of the Indigenous recipients, and all those recognized for their work with Indigenous people, together on Indigenous Day, June 21.

Karetak-Lindell said the award was made even more special with it being presented by Simon, an Inuk herself, and someone Inuit know and have a history with.

That brought a very different meaning, according to Karetak-Lindell, who said she was “very surprised” to be named to the Order of Canada.

“It was not a call I was expecting the least bit,” she said.

“I was at a cabin just outside of Rankin Inlet, where Joe Kaludjak and I spent our days, when the call came. I was

taken totally by surprise and, all of a sudden, you’re thinking well what did I ever do to deserve such recognition?

“And then, I guess, people who nominated me felt that I had contributed to Inuit and, in a way, the country by doing that. It takes a little time – for me anyway – to accept that I’m going to be a recipient.”

Karetak-Lindell said her family was taught by her father that they should help because they want to help and that’s it.

She said they were also taught not to toot their own horn, or people will think you’re only helping them for ulterior motives.

“Being Nunavut’s member of Parliament gave me the opportunity to reach more people and get to know the other communities of Nunavut, not just Arviat and Kivalliq, which is where I lived and did my most acts of kindness, for a lack of a better phrase.

“Being a member of Parliament gave me the opportunity to travel and meet all the wonderful people we live with, and see what people do for their communities and their people.

“For me, it was always about making our communities a better place to live in — making our communities places of opportunity because, at the time I was getting into this kind of work, there weren’t that many people who could be used

as role models from our communities.

“I wanted to encourage young people not to give up, to pursue their dreams, even though there are people saying you can’t do it. Don’t listen to those people, but follow your heart.”

Karetak-Lindell said she’s kind of like the second generation, where the road has been paved for her already by the work of people before her.

But still they were challenging times.

“We were the age group who went to residential schools, and had to try to find a way to get our voices heard and make changes for our people.

“But you always look back to the resilience and adaptivity of our people and their strength. Even though people tried to make us lose our language, culture and traditions, (Inuit) persevered, which made it easier for us to carry on because they already laid the foundation for us.

“Sometimes that hill just keeps getting bigger and bigger until you reach the top of it. There are good news stories. There are good people doing good work. There is hope for change, but it has to come from within us.

“Slowly but surely people are reclaiming their language and their culture. And they’re trying to make our communities better places to live in.”

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell of Arviat, left, is presented with the Order of Canada by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 21. Photo courtesy Nancy Uqquujuq Karetak-Lindell

Inuit group hopes review into handling of priest allegations brings change

Victims must be heard and their stories shared, says Nunavut MP

A national group representing Inuit says it hopes a review into how the Oblates handled allegations of a former priest sexually abusing children in Nunavut will bring change within the Catholic Church.

A retired Quebec judge has been tasked with leading the review into how the Oblates handled the abuse allegations against Johannes Rivoire.

“We look forward to engaging with Justice André Denis and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate to achieve a greater understanding of the decisions that contributed to the unconscionable situation of an accused criminal being allowed to evade justice,” Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami said in a statement.

“We hope that Justice Denis’ independent review will help to bring about necessary governance change within the Oblates and the Catholic Church more broadly as well as bring a small measure of peace to victims through an assurance that such decisions are not repeated.”

The group added that it continues to call for action to ensure Rivoire answers to the allegations against him. Its president, Natan Obed, has appealed to Pope Francis for a resolution.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, OMI Lacombe Canada and the Oblates of the Province of France announced last week that Denis, formerly with the Quebec Superior Court, is leading the Oblate Safeguarding Commission.

They said it will aim to understand how past allegations against Rivoire were addressed within the Catholic congregation, including the circumstances under which he left Canada, and identify improvements to Oblate policies and governance to better protect minors and ensure accountability.

Rivoire, who is now in his early 90s and lives in a retirement home in Lyon, France, has long faced accusations that he sexually abused Inuit children while he was a priest in Nunavut. He has not faced those claims in court and denies any wrongdoing.

Rivoire worked and lived in the territory from the 1960s until 1993, when he returned to his home country. Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has claimed he may have abused up to 60 children during that time.

A Canadian warrant was issued for Rivoire’s arrest in 1998 but criminal charges related to the sexual abuse of children were stayed in 2017.

Following a new complaint in 2021, Rivoire was charged with one count of indecent assault of a girl in Arviat and Whale Cove between 1974 and 1979.

A 10-member delegation of Nunavut Inuit travelled to France in September to seek his extradition and raise awareness of the case. They met with government and church officials as well as Rivoire.

The Public Prosecution of Canada announced in October that France had denied its extradition request and said it had exhausted all legal means to do so.

Rev. Ken Thorson with OMI Lacombe Canada said the Oblates have repeatedly urged Rivoire to return to Canada and face the charges. Oblate leadership in France said they decided to dismiss Rivoire because of his refusal to return to Canada.

Steve Mapasalak, who alleges he was sexually abused by Rivoire when he was 13, was among those who travelled to

France. He said he is still hoping Rivoire will be brought back to Canada to face the allegations.

“It lifted me,” he said of facing Rivoire in France. “Hopefully justice is done … it’s never going to be the same in our life but at least we will feel inside that something has been done.”

Lori Idlout, the NDP member of Parliament for Nunavut, said she’s thankful the commission has been established.

“This is an important acknowledgment that there needs to be an opportunity for victims to be heard and for their stories to be shared, and to make sure that this is moving towards healing,” she said.

She said she hopes Rivoire’s accusers will be given the mental health supports they need during the process and that the commission’s final report will result in changes to church policy that ensure children are protected from violence.

OMI Lacombe Canada said all relevant personnel records and archival material will be made available to Denis. It said a final report is to be made public no later than April 1, 2024.

—By Emily Blake, the Canadian Press

Many hands needed to keep it clean

Baker Lake kicks off two-week cleanup in effort to remain Nunavut’s cleanest community

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

In keeping up its efforts to remain one of the cleanest communities in Nunavut, the community of Baker Lake has begun its annual two-week long community cleanup this week.

The event runs from June 26 until July 7 this year.

Karen Yip is playing a leading role in this year’s cleanup and she’s planning to recognize Baker Lake’s volunteers as the community champions she said they are.

Yip, who moved to Baker Lake in 1995, said,

as far as she can remember, the community has always held an extended community cleanup.

She said residents of Baker Lake have always taken pride in having a clean community.

“For as long as I can recall, I’ve always heard that Baker Lake is the cleanest community in Nunavut,” said Yip. “And many people who have visited our community have commented on the fact that it’s very clean.”

Yip said the campaign always tries to offer incentives to people to get them to volunteer because they realize the people who volunteer are the hamlet heroes of the community.

She said people who keep volunteering and spend their time and energy tidying the community should be recognized.

“It’s always been a kind of traditional start to our community cleanup that the offices will clean-up around their buildings.

“This year we decided that we would do something a little bit different and offer an office-prize draw for people who want to participate.

“A lot of businesses, organizations and government offices take the time to clean up around their buildings. So this year we’re going to have a prize of Tim Hortons coffee and doughnuts for the whole winning office.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s two people or 15 to 20 people.”

Yip said usually the prizes are awarded by draw and, before the Nunavut Day celebration, they’ll be holding daily draws for the volunteers. The prizes could be gift cards from the stores, a small food hamper, a hunting item or loads of practical items like Tide, Bounce, toilet paper, body wash and dish soap.

“Every day for the two weeks prior to Nunavut Day, we’ll be having a draw at the end of the day for the volunteers. They’ll be smaller prizes than the ones we’ll be giving out on Nunavut Day.

“On Nuanvut Day, we’re also going to be doing a presentation of a couple of plaques for people who have been providing outstanding community service.

“There’s one gentlemen, William Manernaluk, who started cleaning up May 1 and he’s out there every day. He’s just doing it on his own and he participates every year.

“He, himself, has challenges, but he’s out there every year making a difference in his community.

“A lot of people in the community take pride in the reputation Baker has for its cleanliness, and it sort of adds nicely to Baker being the geographical centre of Canada and the rubber boot capital of Nunavut.

“You have to admit, that’s a pretty cool list.”

From left, Gerald Antoine, Dene national chief; Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; and Cassidy Caron, president of the Metis community, walk in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, after their meeting with Pope Francis, Friday, April 1, 2022. The Canadian Press/ AP-Alessandra Tarantino

Some residents of Baker Lake will spend the next couple of weeks removing litter from the landscape. NNSL file photo

Signing off for the final time

40-year Nav Canada employee

Rick Lepage will call it a career when he leaves Rankin Inlet for the last time in July

By Darrell Greer Northern News Services

Rick Lepage will fly off into the sunset from Rankin Inlet one final time this coming month, when he caps his stay at Rankin Inlet to end a 40-year career with Nav Canada.

About half those years were spent in the North.

Lepage, 65, ends his career as the supervisor of the Rankin Inlet flight services station.

His lengthy career took him to Montreal; Dorval; Cornwall, Ont., (twice); the Magdalen Islands; Churchill, Man.; Baker Lake; New Brunswick; Sydney, N.S.; and Charlottetown, P.E.I. before finally landing in Rankin Inlet in 2017.

In 2007, Lepage won a competition to become the team supervisor in Rankin Inlet. With their kids (daughter Amanda McNally, 39, and son, Scott, 37) all grown, Lepage and his wife, Kim, took the opportunity to come back to the North.

“We said we’d stay a couple of years, and then a couple of years turned into a couple more, and then a couple more – and it just got to the point where I was so far along in my career I didn’t really want to go down to another unit, re-qualify and then retire and have to move again,” said Rick.

“We were going to retire a couple of years ago but our granddaughter came down with a brain tumour, so we decided to stay, work and provide financial and moral support to

my son and his wife, while our granddaughter was going through this.”

Rick said the blessing for him early in his career while he was at the National Transport Canada Training Institute turned out to be where he met his wife.

He said this past April 2, he and Kim were married 40 years. Kim, up until two years ago, was the base manager for Keewatin (Kivalliq) Air during their time in Rankin Inlet.

“Our son, Scott, actually spent three or four years in Rankin with us and the interesting thing about that was he met his wife, Lisa, up here,” said Rick.

“His wife’s mother was working for Keewatin Air with Kim at the time and her daughter came up for a visit. My wife asked my son to show her around town during his off time and the rest is history.”

Rick said when he leaves Rankin, what he will take with him is the friendships he made during his 16 years in the community.

He said the people in Rankin have shown incredible kindness and greet you openly, wanting to know who you are and where you’re from.

“It’s not in a way that’s confrontational or anything like that. It’s like, ‘Hey who are you? Where are you from and why are you here? Do you like fish? Can I get you some char? Do you hunt? If not, I can bring you some caribou.

“They’re always sharing, always giving. Even when they have next to nothing, they’re always wanting to share stuff with you and, I think,

that makes you a better person wanting to share.

“For a couple of years I got involved in coaching the high school basketball team and that was a lot of fun. And the people here in the curling club were so much fun and great to know.

“Getting out on the land in being in the middle of a caribou herd was just so cool. Going out to Marble Island and being in the community hall when the Governor General came in to visit, these are experiences that you can never forget.”

Originally from Ottawa, Lepage said living in a small town was a nice change from living in the hustle and bustle of the city.

“Once we leave, I’ll miss the people here the most and talking to the planes as they’re going in and out. Rankin, really, is like any small community. People, you know, get up and go

to work and grab their children.

“One of the sweetest things you can ever see is the love the Inuit people have for their children. From the parents all the way up to the great-grandparents.

“I would have to say that life here is slower than the south and you get time to appreciate things. And you learn to respect weather way more than you did living in your big city, with the city trucks that came down and plow your road every half hour.

“Here, they keep the roads open in the middle of a blizzard. They can barely see in front of themselves and there they are, out making sure the roads are open enough that people can get to and from the grocery store and to the airport if, God forbid, an emergency medical evacuation is needed.

“It’s simply a great town full of wonderful people.”

Rick Lepage spends some time with Grade 5 students, showing them the radio receivers and digital recording machines at the flight services station in Rankin Inlet in 2017. Photo courtesy Rick Lepage