Baker Lake (June 25/03) - Andrew Cooper knows Canada and that knowledge earned him second place in a national poster contest.

A Grade 7 student in Baker Lake, his poster was selected out of 100 other Nunavut entries. The entry placed second at the territorial level in the Canadian Heritage Poster Contest.

"I was very proud," said Cooper.

He had a lot to be proud of. Not only was he showered with prizes for his second place finish, he was also recognized by Nunavut's Legislative Assembly.

The assembly convened in Baker Lake for a week beginning June 2 and the ministers made a point of mentioning the hamlet's newest young artist.

According to Bill Cooper, Andrew's father, the assembly made special arrangements to accommodate the family.

The family had airline tickets booked south for the same day that Peter Kilabuk, minister of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth, had planned to announce Cooper's win in the house.

"We couldn't amend our travel plans," said Bill.

So the government amended their agenda to fit with the Coopers'.

Aside from the announcement in the house, the family also met the premier. Bill said it was a good feeling to know the government is paying attention to the little things its people do.

Andrew's poster depicted two people gazing over the diverse landscape of Canada. He said the idea was partly inspired with help from his mom.

In Andrew's mind the poster contest is a great idea.

"It really shows that people care about Canada," he said.

Bill said his son has always been artistic and very curious by nature, but that didn't stop them from being a little surprised when they learned he had placed second.

"His mother and I, we're quite excited and very proud," Bill said.

He added that he and his family have always tried to hold true to Canadian values.

"I think that's an element of what we try to instill in our children -- Canada is a great place to live," said Bill.

Both Andrew's parents teach in Baker Lake and the Coopers have lived in the North for the past nine years.

They are currently travelling in southern Canada visiting family.