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Issaluk receives Diamond Jubilee medal Casey Lessard Northern News Services Published Monday, February 13, 2012
"It's absolutely unbelievable," said the Iqaluit resident, an Inuit games champion recognized for his contributions to the health and well-being of Nunavummiut. "I'm still processing it, actually."
Gov. Gen. David Johnston and Prime Minister Stephen Harper presented the award to 60 Canadians - including Issaluk, originally of Chesterfield Inlet - at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Feb. 6, the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne.
"When I was sitting there, I was thinking about all the people I've worked with, all the people I know, and there are so many deserving people that work so hard for the betterment of our people. It crossed my mind and I asked myself, 'What am I doing here?'"
With 20 years of competing and coaching Inuit games, and more than 200 regional and national medals to his name, according to the Qaggiavuut website, Issaluk has committed his life to sport, volunteerism and his culture.
"I talk about the history to keep my culture strong, and I do a lot of volunteer work at the daycare here, and teach the kids about sports and staying healthy," he said. "Sometimes all the work you do, you don't realize what you're doing, even when you're told 'Thank you for helping.'"
For him, as someone who grew up in a small community, giving back is something that has to be done.
"To be able to give what I've learned and gotten from teachers, elders and friends, and to have the ability to give back, to be able to teach what I've learned over the course of my life is very important to me."
The Diamond Jubilee Medal celebrates the contributions and achievements of Canadians who have dedicated themselves to serving their fellow citizens, their communities and their country, a Rideau Hall release said.
"The recipients who are honoured by this medal have made Canada better," Johnston said in the release. "Individually, they have improved the well-being of many in our communities, and together, they have helped to create a smarter, more caring nation."
Olympic champion skier Alexandre Bilodeau, HIV researcher Chil-Yong Kang, and Darrell Fox of the Terry Fox Foundation were among the inaugural recipients.
A total of 60,000 Canadians will receive the medal, including at least 175 Nunavummiut. In addition to receiving the honour themselves, the following people have allocations of medals to distribute: Commissioner Edna Elias has 21; federal health and Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency Minister Leona Aglukkaq has 50; Senator Dennis Patterson has 30; and Premier Eva Aariak has 55. All Order of Canada recipients - Nunavut has 16 - will also receive the award.
Aariak is inviting MLAs to nominate two people from each of their constituencies, and Nunavummiut to nominate people who have made significant contributions to their communities.
"It is a way to mark the Queen's 60th anniversary," Aariak said, "and it is an opportunity to recognize contributions and achievements by Nunavummiut, and to highlight contributions and achievements by Canadians across the country."
Elias has already made some nominations, but her office is now co-ordinating with the premier and others to ensure her nominations do not overlap with theirs. Elias plans to distribute as many as she can in person, but said nominations go to Rideau Hall and the medals are sent from there through the mail.
"No doubt, we'll use them all up and give them to deserving people," Elias said. "I think it's another wonderful way to recognize Nunavummiut who have given outstanding contributions to their communities, to Nunavut as a whole, to make their communities a better place to live."
Those who would like to nominate someone can contact the offices of one of the individuals listed above.
A list of other groups accepting nominations is available on the Governor General's website.
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