An impactful date

Love for racing and love for lost father combine in memories of Pakallak Tyme

By Stewart Burnett Northern News Services Rankin Inlet Local Journalism Initiative

For Hop Issaluk, Rankin Inlet’s Pakallak Tyme brings up a difficult but grounding memory.

April 30th, 2009, Issaluk remembers racing Jason Todd’s snowmobile in his first-ever Pakallak Tyme cross country race as a junior. After four or five laps, his snowmachine had a malfunction.

“I continued as long as the sled would go until it could no longer drive,” said Issaluk.

He got to Todd’s truck feeling down, when Todd told him to lighten up and that it was just a race.

But Issaluk had a gut feeling at the time something more was going on.

As the day went on, Issaluk returned to Todd’s place after lunch, when Todd received a phone call for Issaluk.

“I answer and the only words I hear are, ‘You need to go to the hospital,’” recalls Issaluk.

When he arrived, his sisters were outside crying.

His father, Luke Issaluk Sr., had died from a heart attack that day while competing in the dog mushing race.

“My dad passed away doing what he loved,” said Issaluk.

Every year since, Pakallak Tyme has been an emotional event for Issaluk.

“I wish all the participants of the races nothing but the best,” he said.

“Love each and every one of you. Many of you don’t know it, but your smiles and eagerness to race keeps me motivated. Keeps me from falling on my knees.”

News Briefs

Qilaut winners announced

Qilaut 2023 will take place in the fall.

viduals for extraordinary contributions to the development of sport in Nunavut.

Nunavut

After going through more than 30 submissions and judged by a peer-panel based on originality, creativity, melody and lyrics, the top 10 winning songs of the Government of Nunavut’s Qilaut 22 contest were announced.

The winning songs are:

1st - Jocelyn Ukutak Malla- Kajjaarijara

2nd - Rosalie Pissuk Siqiniq- Qaumalirivuq

3rd - Rosalie Pissuk- Tariurmi Sukkaitumik Kaggaaraqtuq

4th - Shawna Seeteenak- Malinnga

5th - Abraham Eetak- Takugakkit

6th - Eva Okatsiak- Anaanaga tuksiaqpuq

7th - Jocelyn Arreak- Kajjaarijakka

8th - Abraham Eetak- Quvianaqtuq

9th - Joanasie Aglak- Inuusivut Aksurungnaqtuq

10th - Eli Qaqqasiq-Taqtu Upinngaarainnuk

The judges included Leena Evic, Mary Poisey and Jo Ellen Pameolik. The theme for 2022 was Kajjaarijara.

The top three winners receive $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500 respectively, and the seven runners-up receive $500 each. All 10 songs will be professionally recorded, and a CD will be released featuring the winning songs.

Nominations open for sport awards

Nunavut

The Department of Community and Government Services’ Sport and Recreation Division is accepting applications and nominations for the sport and scholarship awards. For sport awards, nominations are open to recognize indi-

For the scholarship program, Nunavut students pursuing a post-secondary program in the field of physical education, kinesiology, sport administration, sport sciences or recreation at a recognized college or university may be eligible to apply for a scholarship.

Applications are due Friday, May 5, 2023. For an application/ nomination package, contact: srinfo@gov.nu.ca

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