Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit, NU (Sep 23/02) - There's a new shepherd to watch over the Anglican flock across the North and he's already making plans to make the word of God more accessible.

The first Inuk to lead the Anglican Church in the Arctic, Andrew Atagotaaluk has taken office as Bishop of the Arctic. - NNSL file photo

Andrew Atagotaaluk was installed Sept. 15 as the fifth Bishop of the Arctic.

Originally from Pond Inlet, he is the first Inuit and the first Canadian to serve in this position.

"For me, it was awesome. It didn't really sink in. Seeing people of all ages and different professions, it really sort of touched me in a way," said Atagotaaluk.

The Diocese of the Arctic covers one-third of Canada or just over four million square kilometres.

Atagotaaluk will be based in remain in Salluit, Nunavik where he has lived for the past several years.

He also plans to keep the Synod office in Yellowknife open as a means of connecting to the West.

Heard the call

The new Bishop of the Arctic said he first found God while doing translations for an evangelist missionary.

He said that as he translated he felt the message go to his heart and he also felt a calling. As a result, Atagotaaluk joined the Arthur Turner Training School in Panniqtuuq in 1972.

This institution was named after a missionary who worked in the community from 1928 until his death in 1953. The school offered Inuit people the opportunity to become leaders within the religion.

Atagotaaluk said the bishop who started the school, Donald Marsh, had an important vision.

He said Marsh's dream was to train Inuit people so they could minister their own people.

"At the time, we didn't think it could happen. But it has," said Atagotaaluk.

To the Bishop of the Arctic, this is one of the most important steps the ministry has taken in the North.

Translations planned

In order to make the Anglican Church even more accessible to Inuit, Atagotaaluk has been working with a group of people since 1978 on the translation of both the New and Old Testaments.

He said the New Testament is complete, and a draft of the Old Testament still needs some revision. Within the next two years, Atagotaaluk said a complete set should be available.

"We've never really had a complete set. This will be the first time we have it in syllabic writing," he said.

In his new position, Atagotaaluk said there are several things he hopes to improve.

He hopes to ease the tensions found among those living in the Arctic.

Atagotaaluk said Inuit are never going to pick up and leave.

For this reason, Inuit and non-Inuit people have to work together.

"Even within the church there is sometimes this barrier -- the tension between a white minister and an Inuk minister. I take this very seriously," he said.

Atagotaaluk has served as a priest is Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Inukjuak, Spence Bay and Salluit.