Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Sanikiluaq (Nov 18/02) - John Jamieson was named one of Canada's best teachers on Nov. 16 when he was presented with the 2002 Governor General's Award for Excellence in teaching Canadian History.

"They said I teach outside the box and that's quite true," said Jamieson.

By trade Jamieson is not even a history teacher.

It's his efforts to preserve, promote and include Inuit culture in Nuiyak school that led to the award.

Jamieson's background is in parasitology.

While working in Iglulik, he discovered a tape-worm parasite called dithylloeothrum Dendriticum that live in Inuit. His discovery marked the first time it was identified in people in North America.

He left then parasitology behind and taught science for 10 years in the South.

In 1982, Jamieson moved to Sanikiluaq as a teacher.

Today, he's the co-principal at Nuiyak school.

Jamieson's co-workers call him an institution. They said students in the school are actually rebuilding 3,000 years of local Inuit history.

"When he's here in town, 10 months of the year, he devotes his life to the school. He's totally devoted to the students and the community," said Nuiyak's program support teacher Jane Stewart.

Recipients of the Governor General's award receive $2,500, a gold medal and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Ottawa.

"I was very happy to receive the award. It means the school is going to get $1,000," he said.