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Eldest of the elders celebrated Ninety-nine-year-old Kugluktuk woman honoured at feast as mentor and a blessing
Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 3, 2013
KUGLUKTUK/COPPERMINE
It's not often that someone lives to the age of 99. But when they do, the community knows how to get together and honour their life and their knowledge.
June "Gran" Okalik, seen here during a traditional clothing parade in 2001 in Kugluktuk, turned 99 on June 1. - photo courtesy of Christine Kuliktana |
Elder June Okalik of Kugluktuk turned 99 on June 1. Donations poured in from across Nunavut, from country food to cash to help cover the cost of a community-wide celebration.
It's not the first time, nor will it be the last, that Okalik's contributions have been honoured and celebrated.
In 2012 she was presented with a Commissioner's Award for a lifetime of passing on skills in sewing, drum dancing and raising children.
"She's practically seen it all," said Christine Kuliktana, one of Okalik's grandchildren.
Throughout the past week, while planning was underway for the community feast, there were a lot of happy tears as stories were shared and people talked about what a blessing Okalik has been.
"Elders are important and we learn so much from them," said Kuliktana.
Okalik is a traditional seamstress and many people own one of her colourful parkas, including MP Leona Aglukkaq. Kuliktana estimates that Okalik has made thousands of them over the years, each one a functional work of art.
"Everyone calls her 'Gran'," said Kuliktana.
"Our family is big and there are a lot of generations."
For the community feast, friends and family were flying in from Holman and Cambridge Bay.
Speaking only Inuinnaqtun, Okalik said, with Kuliktana translating, she remembers her dad getting sick when she was younger.
While she doesn't remember exactly how old she was at the time, her dad told her that she was going to live a long and healthy life.
"We keep talking about her birthday and the big feast and she said she couldn't believe she was turning 99," said Kuliktana.
Even just days before the feast, Okalik was proving hard to track down because geese have returned to Kugluktuk and she was invited into homes for supper.
"She is still so social with everyone, it's good when people with vehicles can come take her out for dinner," said Kuliktana.
With family all over Nunavut, Okalik said she is excited for the feast.
"There will be so many stories from everyone," said Kuliktana.
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