Friends rally round well-known hunter and politician
Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Apr 30/01) - The Simon Nattaq Future Steps Fund will help a much admired community leader get home and back on the land.
Simon Nattaq, Iqaluit's deputy mayor and noted hunter, recently had both legs amputated below the knee after suffering severe frostbite in February.
Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq and Brent Crooks opened the account with $100 last week. Several thousand dollars are needed to build an outdoor ramp at the Nattaq house.
"We also want to build a new qamutiq box so he can continue going out on the land and teach youth about traditional knowledge," Irniq said.
He called Nattaq an energetic man with a big adjustment ahead of him.
Nattaq remains in stable condition at an Ottawa hospital. His wife Annie and daughter Dorcas are with him. He is learning to walk with prosthetic legs.
Crooks built the Nattaq home six years ago. Constructing the ramp and the box is a volunteer project.
"When I heard Simon was going to lose his legs it hit me," Crooks said. "He's a good community citizen and if anybody deserves help, he does."
Construction, under the guidance of Nattaq, is expected this summer.
Nattaq's son, Jimmy, said his father remains in good sprits.
"He's doing well. This will make it easier for him to come home," Jimmy said.
Donations can be made to the Simon Nattaq Future Steps Fund at the Royal Bank.
