Mayor John Matthews said the city gave out 90 certificates of recognition at a special reception held at the Discovery Lodge.

"The volunteers are so important to the health of the community. It was time to try to show our appreciation so that's what we did," said Matthews.

Four volunteers received special mentions at the reception. They were Jessie Mike for her contributions to youth, Beverly Browne for the arts and culture, Alice Coman for the contributions of the community service organization Iqaluit's Royal Purple, and Suzanne Laliberte for sports.

"I think they gave it to me because they are sick of hearing me whine about the Sylvia Grinnell River. It's very nice of the town to do something like this," said Laliberte.

She is the president of the Frobisher Bay Kayaking Club. Not only has she been known to walk along the shores of the Sylvia Grinnell picking up garbage, she has also taught many residents of Iqaluit how to manipulate a kayak safely in the bay.

Laliberte said she devoted four years of her life to the kayaking program.

Still, she thinks everyone at the reception deserved special recognition.

Laliberte put her award on a shelf in her home, but it will only stay there until she finds the right place for it.

She said it's nice to have the award, but wishes she could share it with everyone who has helped her.

Matthews agrees. He said each person singled out at the reception represented many groups of people working together to make things happen in the city.

"The four individuals are representative of a much larger population.

"We certainly want to acknowledge their contribution. They were singled out, but they're accepting the awards on behalf on many other volunteers," he said.

Matthews hopes the recognition of volunteers in Iqaluit will become a yearly event.

He hopes each year the city is forced to hand out more and more certificates.