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Kivalliq home to recipients of the Order of Nunavut Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, July 6, 2011
The late Jose Kusugak of Rankin Inlet and the late Mark Kalluak of Arviat joined Anglican minister Rev. Michael Gardener of Iqaluit as the first to receive the prestigious honour. The Order of Nunavut was established in 2010 as the territory's highest honour to recognize those who made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic wellbeing of Nunavut. The date of the investiture ceremony has yet to be announced. Kusugak was one of the most wellknown and recognizable Inuit leaders in history. His brother, Lorne, said he was deeply touched and happy for Jose when he learned of his appointment to the Order of Nunavut. "I'm talking about my own brother, but being one of the first to receive this honour was welldeserved by Jose," said Lorne. "If I may speak for the family, it's been so touching and overwhelming to see the kind of recognition that's been bestowed upon him. "There's scholarships being named after him, and a room at the Nunavut Sivuniksavut school in Ottawa, and they just keep coming. "I have a lot of heartfelt gratitude for all the recognition Jose's received during the past few months." Lorne said Jose Kusugak being named to the Order of Nunavut does not lessen the significance of any honour bestowed upon him previously. He said having his brother appointed as one of the first members of the Order of Nunavut will, however, always hold a special spot in his heart. "It's important for our territory to have established the Order of Nunavut. "We do have the Commissioner's Awards, but this is recognition given at the highest level. "We need to recognize people who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make Nunavut a better place in which to live. "There's people with a lot of courage and commitment to this territory, and we should recognize their incredible feats." Lorne said the whole region should take pride in the fact that two of the first three appointees to the Order of Nunavut are from the Kivalliq. He said their appointment is a shining moment for both the Kivalliq and Nunavut. "We always hear the negativity about Nunavut, but we have some great people who live, and who have lived, here. "They stand next to the best of the best in Canada, or the world for that matter. "I'm proud as a Kivalliqmiut, but even more proud as a Nunavummiut, that we have people of this stature. "There are deserving people across Nunavut who will earn this distinction as we move forward."
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