Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 08/02) - Nunavummiut have a myriad of reasons to celebrate during July.

The berries are growing, boating is set to begin any day and the sun does not set.

To make it even better, most residents around the territory enjoy two long weekends in a row.

First, we have Canada Day. Nunavummiut turned out in droves to wish our country a happy 135th birthday.

Barbecues were held, parades were watched and games -- both traditional and contemporary -- were won.

While each of us acknowledges our country and our pride in being Canadian in our own way, Iqaluit resident Eliza Kingdon must be commended for the patriotic fever she spreads across the capital city.

Perhaps one of Canada's proudest souls, Kingdon can be found dressed from head to toe in clothing featuring Canadian flags on July 1.

"I really started to get into it ten years ago," said Kingdon, with a Canadian flag cowgirl hat perched patriotically upon her head.

"I can't put it into words. It's just something that's in my spirit," she said.

"I think it was because of my fashion background. I had all these clothes and I came across a really good seamstress so I had her make me an outfit every year."

As she travelled in the South, or as her family and friends began to find nationalistic items for her, Kingdon's collection of Canadiana grew.

The result is the most enthusiastically dressed Canuck this side of the treeline.

And it's catching.

"People come up to me and say they're going to start doing this now. It's catchy. You inspire and urge others to do it as well," said Kingdon.

Just because Iglulik's John Illupalik doesn't adorn himself in red and white, it doesn't mean he isn't every bit as patriotic as his neighbour to the South.

"I have a sense of pride. It's a good feeling," said Illupalik, referring to the happiness he experiences in being Inuk and in being Canadian.

Passing on pride

For Peter Irniq, the commissioner of Nunavut, both holidays carry a great deal of meaning.

Dining with Governor General Adrienne Clarkson at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Canada Day, Irniq said he felt completely at home breaking bread with a group of 40 respected members of the media and literary world.

He said the meal illustrated to him how far Inuit have come since beginning land claims negotiations in 1971.

"Coming from Nunavut, my generation of Inuit, we weren't considered part of Canada," said Irniq.

"We always said down in Kanatamiut (Southern Canada). People still make reference to that and to the way we were treated by colonialism," he said.

Some 32 years later however, with a peaceful, comprehensive land claim settled and a new territory to boast about, Irniq said he and fellow Inuit took tremendous pride in being Canadian.

"Now we sit at the same table and we're equal to all Canadians. I feel personally and professionally that I am a proud Canadian," he said.

Irniq plans to pass that pride on to Nunavummiut in an address he will deliver at the Nunavut Day festivities in Iqaluit.

"I will celebrate with the people of Nunavut by telling people about the importance of our achievements and accomplishments in the last 32 years," said Irniq.

"We have accomplished Nunavut with great pride."