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NUNAVUT - Darrell Greer's penchant for telling it as he sees it earned him respect with judges at a national newspaper competition held last month.

Greer, editor of Kivalliq News and columnist for Nunavut News/North, was named columnist of the year by the Canadian Community Newspaper Association.

His editorial pieces reviewed for the competition included commentary on the need for a study of wildlife that are consuming sewage from lagoons; challenged the logic behind a $600,000 lawsuit filed against former Nunavut premier Paul Okalik for having sworn at a woman, even though he apologized personally and publicly; and the need to restore morality and dignity to the legislative assembly as questionable conduct and criminal histories among MLAs was setting a bad example.

"There's nothing easy about being a fearless, and entertaining, columnist in a newspaper - of any size. But the fearless part grows increasingly difficult as the circulation of the paper decreases," the judges wrote.

"The winners (in this category) ... are a model for others to follow in serving their communities the way papers are supposed to do it, fairly and fearlessly."

Nunavut News/North held the distinction of columnist of the year last year as well, with the award going to Peter Irniq, former Nunavut commissioner, MLA and Inuit cultural ambassador.

Greer also earned second place for best environmental writing in Kivalliq News. In an article entitled A call to action, Greer examined the potential for Inuit hunters to use civil disobedience to protest a government-imposed polar bear quota cut in the western Hudson Bay area.

Northern News Services' other publications also fared well at the Better Newspapers Competition.

The national judges had plenty of complimentary things to say about Opportunities North, a 96-page comprehensive overview of Northern industries that appeared in Nunavut News/North.

They ranked it tops in the best special section category.

"The amount and depth of copy generated was incredible," the judges wrote. "Great use of graphics chosen to accompany the photographs and copy. The paper had a clean, easy to follow layout."

NWT News/North earned a blue ribbon in its circulation category, signifying general excellence.

Yellowknifer was also granted a blue ribbon for general excellence, placed second for best local editorial and finished third in the best headline writing category as well as third in environmental writing.

Editor Roxanna Thompson garnered a first place for the Deh Cho Drum for best sports photo.