Eva honoured as wise woman
Giving back to her people comes naturally
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Monday, March 16, 2015
IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Eva Kakolak Avadluk did not at all expect to be awarded the Wise Woman Award from Qulliit Nunavunmi Arnait Katutjutiqatigiit (Qulliit Nunavut Status of Women Council).
Eva Kakolak Avadluk of Cambridge Bay learned she is receiving the Wise Woman Award from Qulliit Nunavunmi Arnait Katutjutiqatigiit March 6. Getting the news surprised her. - photo courtesy Eva Kakolak Avadluk |
The awards were established in 2009 and are meant to honour women who are role models in their communities and who provide outstanding volunteer, advocacy work, support, education, counselling or caregiver service to others, according to the council.
Eva fits on all counts – a bona fide wise woman.
After she was informed about the great news, she spoke to Nunavut News/North on the phone. She exclaimed, "That is so very surprising. To me, anyway. I was really surprised. I had no idea. So this is very new to me. And it's so exciting. It hasn't hit me yet. It'll hit me soon."
Eva is so lively. She overflows with infectious energy and laughter. Speaking with her is a joyful experience. Very quickly it's obvious why she was nominated and why she received the honour.
But does she consider herself a "wise woman?"
"Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't," said Eva. "I always thought it was for older, older women in the community. I could not think why somebody nominated me because I did what I love doing for my community. (The elders) gave all that they had and now I give all that I have."
Musing on why she was nominated, Eva suspects it has to do with her work as an interpreter over the years.
"I did a lot of interpreting in my time, when I was working for GNWT. I was working in the nursing station. I did a lot of interpreting for my people when they come to see the nurse or the doctor. I was mainly interpreting for the public sector. They needed somebody to make sure that the elderly people understood what was being said to them. Or in courts. That was my passion – interpreting."
Eva says it was important to her to give back to elders.
"Because when I was in a residential school, the elders served me a lot. They really helped me. Now it was my turn to serve them."
Growing up with her adoptive parents who spoke only Inuinnaqtun, she only spoke that language when she entered residential school.
"I spoke nothing but Inuinnaqtun. But I fought and fought to learn the English language. I was happy to. And I became their (parents) interpreter. I was with them until they passed away."
Although she retired in May 2013, Eva's devotion to her community is not only in the past. She is very active today.
"I still enjoy my time with elders in the community. They have their own little space where they gather, and their own vehicle. They gather together for a little feast or something. We let them mingle with each other, because winters are really long. Summer it's OK because they can walk to meet their elderly friends."
Eva continues to volunteer with elders any time the community calls.
"I still very much like to be that part where I serve them," she says.
Another personal experience has led to a unique role she plays in the community. In the early 80s she was trapped in an abusive relationship. Understanding and help from elders is what helped her through.
"I wanted so much for someone to look up to, to be around people that I trust and understand. I needed help so badly to get out of the relationship but, being afraid for my children to be taken away, I kept hanging onto the relationship."
And that's what, and why, she gives back, now. She's that person younger people can come to.
"I want to help abused women and children in the community, and the men, too. I love to counsel young couples – young women, men – with children.
"My home is open 24 hours a day."
Eva stops and corrects herself.
"Not 24 hours a day. Twelve hours a day – I need to lock it at 12 o'clock. But the phone calls will always come because I'm in the phone book and they know me. So that makes me feel better. They want to have a little talk. And I can't say no to that."
"I'm 65-years-old today. I'm happy. I'm on my own. I'm a mother, I'm a grandmother, I'm a great-grandmother. I enjoy that part. But not a relationship – he hurt me a lot."
Eva has five children, two of which are blind, 10 grandchildren, with another on the way, and three great-grandchildren.
"I'm happy that I supported myself, that I got support from the community, and the elders in the community that kept me going, kept me strong. My grandchildren keep me strong."
She knows who nominated her for the Wise Woman Award and she struggles with being recognized for naturally giving back to the community that gave her so much.
"My best friend from Quebec, Jane George, nominated me. She made me cry … she made me cry. I had tears. I had tears pouring with happiness but it hasn't hit me, being a wise woman. I keep asking myself, 'Why? Why me? Why me?'"
In her mind, being of service to others just makes the world a better place.
