Iqaluit (Sep 29/04) - Andrea McLarty never met Dr. Christine Egan, a nurse who spent many years in the Kivalliq region.

But having grown up in Rankin Inlet, McLarty, now a third year nursing student at Nunavut Arctic College, heard about the fine work Egan did there.

McLarty said she is grateful for the $1,000 scholarship she recently received that was created in Egan's honour.

Egan was killed while visiting the World Trade Centre on Sept. 11, 2001.

This year marks the first year the award has been given to nursing students being educated in Nunavut with their eyes set on working here when they graduate.

In order to receive it, they must have a good academic record and be committed to working in Nunavut.

McLarty, 20, wants to work at the new 10-bed health centre in Rankin Inlet when she graduates next year.

She has missed Rankin terribly since moving to Iqaluit for school.

"The hardest part is not having my family," said McLarty while sitting in the lobby of Nunavut Arctic College last week.

"Being independent sucks. But it's all part of growing up, I guess. It's fun, but I get scared."

She calls Rankin "the best place to be" in summertime. "It's all about the Hondas," she said. "And homemade parkas."

McLarty has noticed she's a bit of a magnet for kids, so she hopes to get to work with them. She has also recognized that there is a severe shortage of mental health care workers in Rankin.

"Mental health is an area that needs more support," she said.

McLarty is inspired by what she knows of Egan's work ethic and dedication, especially in the Kivalliq region.

"I know she was a really good nurse," said McLarty when asked what she knew of Egan before she received the scholarship. "She wanted to be a part of the community. She didn't just go to work and go home. She went to square dances. She got involved in the community."

As part of her course, McLarty is going to Halifax for six weeks in May.

She is going to put her scholarship money towards the cost of that trip, since the students have to pay their own way.

Currently the nursing program has two students in fourth year, six in third, five in second year, and 13 in the first year.

"There are only six people in my class, but we have such close bonds," said McLarty. "The classes are small, which I like. When I graduate I'll have a degree from Dalhousie University. I have a friend at DAL. Their classes are huge. I like it better this way."

In all, four Nunavut nursing students received the award this year: McLarty, Rebecca Akulujuk Lonsdale, Martha Nowdlak and Sipporah Peterloosie.

The Dr. Christine Egan Memorial Scholarship was created at the University of Manitoba by Egan's family, friends and colleagues.

Egan worked in Iqaluit, Cape Dorset, Pond Inlet, Coral Harbour, Sanikiluaq, Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet.

"She was a caring generous person," said Dr. Ellen Judd, a spokesperson for Egan's family.

"She loved the North, said Judd. "The North left a deep impression on her."