Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Panniqtuuq (Feb 25/02) - Sarah Tautuajuk had no idea it was her lucky day when she headed to the Christmas games at the school last month in Panniqtuuq.

But as she sat beside her friends and neighbours, listening to hear who won the draw to shoot a nearby polar bear, Tautuajuk said she couldn't believe it when she heard her own name called.

"I put my name down out of curiosity. Out of pure luck I got chosen," said Tautuajuk, a jack-of-all trades at the local hamlet office.

"My sister and I were sitting close to each other and we just looked at each other when we heard the last name. When the chair of the (Hunters and Trappers Association) said my name, everyone just started clapping," she said.

"It was something else."

Tautuajuk, a single mother of a seven-year-old son, joked with him about how he'd have to help her get the bear. But her cousin Jackie Nowdlak stepped forward and gave her lots of assistance during the Jan. 2 hunt.

Tautuajuk said she had to shoot three times before she managed to kill the young male bear.

"I was extremely excited and nervous. Nervous because I've seen a bear up close before and I know how dangerous they can be," she said.

"But Jackie showed me where to shoot the bear and I had a lot of help from other people."

Tautuajuk said she gave everyone who lent their hands polar bear meat as a way of saying thanks.

As for the skin, she sent if off earlier this month to be tanned by a Winnipeg taxidermist. She said she plans to hang it on her wall.

"It's my personal trophy. I'm not selling it in my lifetime."