Iglulik (Apr 07/03) - Caesar Arnatsiaq has spent his whole life in Iglulik. He says the personal perspective he managed to cultivate there is the main reason he's a winner.

Caesar Arnatsiaq, 17, is the territorial winner of the 2003 Celebrate Canada Poster Challenge. He's proud of his accomplishment and can't wait to take advantage of his prize -- a free trip to Ottawa for Canada Day. - photo courtesy of Atagutaaluk school

The 17-year-old was recently chosen as the territorial winner for the 2003 Celebrate Canada Poster Challenge, held every year by Heritage Canada.

The poster aims at bridging the differences between Canada's North and South by highlighting as many aspects of the pan-Canadian perspective that came to mind.

News/North: When did you start making art?

Caesar Arnatsiaq: I've been doing art since I was little. I just have fun with painting, drawing, water colouring and sketching.

N/N: Who taught you?

CA: I just picked it up on my own. I just like doing it.

N/N: So you've never taken lessons?

CA: I'm in art class at the school with my teacher, Jim Eastman. He taught me how to measure distance in pictures so it looks like reality. He taught me how to make it look real.

N/N: What were you trying to show when you created your entry for the poster challenge?

CA: I was just trying to show Canada and what it is like everywhere in every part of the country.

N/N: Where did the idea come from?

CA: From living up here, in Iglulik, I got the idea.

N/N: What do you mean?

CA: For a few months of the year we have summer and then we have winter. Some months we have 24 hours daylight and some months we have 24 darkness. I wanted to show the seasons, the weather, the climate.

N/N: So how did you illustrate that?

CA: I used water colour. There's a guy reaching out and showing the beauty of Canada. There's also the sun and the moon, the snow and the grass, and the iglu and the tent.

NN/N: When did you find out you won the territorial contest?

CA: I found out about two weeks ago.

N/N: Who told you?

CA: Someone called me at home and told me that I won. I was so excited. I hung up the phone and told my parents and friends. They said that I'm really lucky.

N/N: What was the grand prize?

CA: Actually, I don't know that much about it yet. All I know is that I'm going to Ottawa to celebrate Canada Day. I'm going to bring my best friend. He's been my friend since we were really little.

N/N: What are you looking forward to the most about your trip?

CA: Someone told me that there's going to be rock stars at the Canada Day celebration. I'm looking forward to seeing Avril Levigne and Nelly Furtado. I think they're going to be there.

N/N: What else do you think you'll do?

CA: I'm going to do a lot of stuff and just join in the celebrations.

N/N: Have you ever been to Ottawa before?

CA: No, I've never been there. I've only travelled to Iqaluit and Hall Beach. I'm really excited.

N/N: Will your poster be entered in the national contest now?

CA: Yes, but I don't know when they are judging them.

N/N: How do you like living in Iglulik?

CA: I've been here since I was born. I like it, it's good to live here. If I want to do something, I can do it. There's lots of opportunities.

N/N: What other sorts of things do you do in Iglulik besides art?

CA: I play hockey all the time; almost every day. I hang out with my friends and that sort of stuff.

N/N: Do you have a large family?

CA: Yes, my family is from Iglulik. I'm adopted. I have a lot of brothers and sisters.

N/N: What grade are you in now?

CA: I'm in Grade 10 at Ataguttaaluk school.

N/N: What do you want to do after you finish Grade 12?

CA: I still have two years left but I want to go to university and learn how to paint more. I want to go for painting.