Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 23/01) - Nunavut lost one of its brightest young lights a year ago this month when 30-year-old Iqaluit resident Laura Ulluriaq Gauthier passed away.

Her sudden and unexpected death left family, friends and residents across the Arctic reeling. Nothing can change that tragedy, but the Nunavut Power Corporation wants to ensure her memory and hard work are not forgotten.

"I miss her grace," said Rick Blennerhassett, the president and chief executive officer of NPC. "I had a great deal of respect for her."

Blennerhassett worked closely with Gauthier during the planning stages of the division of the power corporation. He described her as an extremely tough negotiator who struggled to see Inuit benefit from ownership in such a utility.

"She worked on this for a couple of years on behalf of Inuit," said Blennerhassett. "She was tough. Don't let anybody tell you she wasn't."

To convey the corporation's respect for Gauthier's efforts, NPC has created a scholarship in her name for post-secondary students hailing from Nunavut.

Blennerhassett said the goal is to help up and coming leaders -- of which Gauthier was one the best -- realize their dreams.

"You want to remember somebody for something they did and build towards the future," he said.

While he isn't exactly sure what form the annual scholarship will take, Blennerhassett said it would be worth about $5,000.

Interested candidates are asked to write a letter to NPC describing their post-secondary education and how they plan to help Nunavut after graduation.

The scholarship is open to all Nunavummiut enrolled in post-secondary studies in Nunavut or southern institutions.

There are no age or field of study restrictions . The deadline to apply is Aug. 24.

Blennerhassett said a committee of corporation board and community members would review the applications and decide on a recipient.

Gauthier's husband will likely be involved in the award ceremony.

"We want to commemorate her for the long term," said Blennerhassett.

"We want to find young people who are in the same path and give them a scholarship in her name."