Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 10/99) - Andy Carpenter received a bit of a shock Friday.

Called to the Sachs Harbour hamlet office on what he thought was a bit of bureaucratic business, Carpenter found family and friends, the territorial commissioner and his MLA gathered in his honour.

"I thought I was coming here today about the elders' fuel subsidy," he told the assembly, "but my wife told me it was something better -- but I couldn't imagine what that could be."

The presentation was just one of five the commissioner made last Thursday and Friday as he travelled across the Arctic with Transport Minister Vince Steen and his executive assistant Terry Testart, Verne Christensen from Municipal and Community Affairs and RCMP Const. Violet Pokiak. Other award recipients included Edward Ruben in Paulatuk, Holman's Robert Kuptana and Norman Felix and Lucy Cockney in Tuktoyaktuk.

Marion explained that he's determined to get out and visit all of the communities of the Western Arctic and to play a part in fostering a Western identity.

To that end, he said that when he took over his post after territorial division April 1, he declined hiring his own executive assistant and added that budget allocation toward travel around the NWT. He said he's already visited some 70 per cent of the communities and given out 24 such achievement awards to elders.

In presenting his certificates of achievement, Marion spoke of a proud Inuvialuit tradition and of the rapidly changing face of the Northwest Territories.

"I would like to honour an elder, a leader, who exemplifies all elders," he said, "and who preached peace, harmony, unity and working together to make a better community -- helping keep the proud culture and tradition of the Inuvialuit alive today."

Steen said the government supports Marion's project and will set aside room in the legislature where photographs of the recognized elders will be displayed. He also said the awards presentations is proposed to be a yearly event, with communities nominating their own elders.

"I know there are many other elders who deserve recognition," he added, "and I hope to take part in other ceremonies for many years to come."

The politicians spoke of the positive effect recognizing elders would have on the younger members of the communities. They also held up RCMP constables Violet Pokiak, daughter of Tuktoyaktuk Mayor Ernest Pokiak, and Noella Cockney as role models to be followed.

Cockney played her own role in the Tuk ceremony, reading out the award certificate and presenting it to her mother, Lucy, along with tears of emotion and an embrace.

Recognized for their roles in developing their communities, for achieving land claims and self- government or for their volunteer work, the five elders all gave short acceptance speeches, doing their best to play down their accomplishments.

Edward Ruben spoke of hard times and the spirit of co-operation that exists in Paulatuk, and Robert Kuptana did the same in Holman.

"It should not be me who's recognized by this award, but you the community," he said.