Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

IQALUIT (Mar 01/99) - A crowded courtroom watched as Paul Okalik stood with tears in his eyes and thanked family and friends for encouraging him to complete his studies as a lawyer.

"All of you, in some way or another, have played a role in getting me here," said Okalik, who at 34 years of age, was the first Inuk from Nunavut to be called to the bar to practise law.

NWT Supreme Court Justices Ted Richard and John Vertes presided over the special sitting of the Supreme Court that hosted Okalik's swearing in last month in Iqaluit. Territorial court Judge Beverly Browne also joined them on the bench for the historic occasion.

"Paul is the first Inuk to be admitted to practise law on Baffin Island. The significance of that is recognized by the attendance of many Inuit leaders here," said Browne.

Having come a long way from working underground as a welder and a mechanic at Nanisivik Mine in the early 1980s, Okalik listened as, one by one, those leaders, including acting interim commissioner Joe Kunuk and Nunavut Tunngavik president Jose Kusugak, stood and offered words of praise and congratulations.

"I am bursting with pride along with anybody who's heard about this occasion," said Kusugak, who spoke about Okalik's position as a role model for the residents of Nunavut and the steps he has taken towards opening a new door for Inuit.

"It's not a simple journey. I know there will be many young people following in your footsteps and I thank you for that."

Okalik's employer and Iqaluit lawyer, Anne Crawford, joined in on the praise and joked that while his associations with the legal profession didn't get off to a good start, they had taken a turn for the better. Crawford also commended Okalik on his role in negotiating the Nunavut Land Claim and on successfully completing the two university degrees required for him to practise law.

But just three days after Okalik was called to the bar, he proved to be successful yet again, this time in Nunavut's first election where he overwhelmingly won a seat in the new legislature representing Iqaluit West.

Okalik said, however, that he intended to pursue a position in the cabinet of Nunavut's legislative assembly that would still allow him to practise law.

"There is one portfolio that allows for the practise of law and that's justice," said a tired, but elated, Okalik moments after winning his seat.

"I owe it to my voters to go after that."