Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Feb 27/02) - Cathy Towtongie took advantage of what Iqaluit residents call a blizzard to hang her first picture on the wall of her new house.

Forced by Baffin weather to take two days out of the office, Towtongie said she used the time to unpack boxes and decorate the walls. While she appreciated the time off work, Towtongie said she misses the blizzards she used to experience in Rankin Inlet.

Towtongie moved from the Kivalliq region to the capital when she was elected president of Nunavut Tunngavik last December.

"I miss the blizzards because when it's blizzard conditions, you stay home a lot more," she laughed.

"I was very fortunate they closed Iqaluit down for two days, but I didn't think it was a blizzard. I wanted to stay in the office and work, but every other office was closed down."

Towtongie also said she misses getting out on the tundra around Rankin Inlet with her dogs. She finds that space lacking in a city that's she's just settling into.

"I miss the silence of running dogs and being out in the cold," said Towtongie, also nostalgic for Rankin Inlet's infamous talent shows. She said she hoped to try and instil the love for performing on stage in Iqaluit residents during the upcoming Toonik Tyme festival.

"There are no talent shows here," lamented Towtongie about Iqaluit. "The skill and expertise in performing arts has to be developed in Nunavut."

And of course, Towtongie misses her husband, who elected to stay behind in Rankin Inlet to look after their various business interests. While she's used to the challenges of a long-distance relationship, Towtongie said she plans to keep busy during her free time for the remaining two years of her term by sewing.