Elder receives national award for preservation of Inuit culture
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Mar 28/01) - Mariano Aupilardjuk has shared his knowledge with kindergarten classes and the political leaders.
For all his impressive achievements, the distinguished and respected Rankin Inlet elder was named as a recipient of a National Aboriginal Achievement Award.
This year's winners include award-winning playwright and author Tomson Highway, Inuit filmmaker Zacharias Kunuk, the first status Indian to be elected to the House of Commons, the Hon. Leonard Marchand, Alberta guitar playing physician Dr. Lindsay Crowshoe, and political leader Harold Cardinal.
The award winners were announced on March 16 at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton, Alta.
Aupilardjuk says he is honoured to have been named as the winner of such an important award and found the entire experience more than a little overwhelming.
"I didn't believe it until they presented it to me," says the elder, with typical, soft-spoken grace. "It is nice to know my efforts on behalf of all Inuit have been recognized."
The awards were created in 1994 by Mohawk conductor and composer, John Kim Bell, to provide recognition for outstanding career achievements by professionals of First Nations, Metis and Inuit ancestry.
They are produced by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation, which has awarded more than $10 million in scholarships to deserving aboriginal students in Canada since 1985.
Aupilardjuk says he hopes his award helps increase awareness and understanding of the many challenges Inuit face today.
"I have worked hard and learned much through the years. I hope this award will, in some way, help to maintain and create awareness of Inuit culture.
"The transition from traditional to modern lifestyle has not been easy for Inuit. "We must work hard to maintain our culture, language and tradition or we run the risk of losing it forever."
