Joanasie Eegeesiak
Northern News Services

NNSL (Apr 12/99) - Polar Man, Iqaluit's famous superhero and local celebrity, said he had a great time during the Nunavut celebrations, April 1.

"I think it's a great thing because in a way, we're kind of making up for what the white people have done to the Inuit in the past," he said.

Polar Man said he was there when the celebrations began, with the fireworks at midnight But he admitted to being a little surprised that the fireworks went off properly in the frigid weather.

"I was thinking that somehow I got transported down south because the fireworks were exploding. That's what my first thought was."

He had wanted to join in on all the festivities, but wasn't able to because there were just too many things going on at once.

He wasn't however, too busy to give interviews and pose for pictures for the hundreds of reporters who were in town.

"I lost count of how many people interviewed me because some of them came back for second and third interviews all at the same time."

He said the events gave him the chance to see many old friends as well.

"Like Jane Stewart, the minister of Indian Affairs in Ottawa."

He added that when he saw Stewart, he asked her for a special favour -- to be Polar Woman during the Nunavut celebrations.

"She said that she would be too busy for things like that because she has to handle showing the Prime Minister around and those guys at the FOL site," said Polar Man.

He also thought he saw the Prime Minister when he was checking up on the town and making sure everything and everyone was safe and sound.

"He was driving by the airport when I was doing my patrols. I was just doing my usual rounds to make sure there was no trouble."