Cambridge Bay (May 02/05) - Karen Ongahak worked hard to get to where she is now.

Ongahak received the Alice Kinaviak Anablak Award during her graduation from the Inuinnaqtun interpreter/translator development program at the Kitikmeot Campus in Cambridge Bay.

The award was presented by Ida McWilliams with the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth.

Ongahak was very committed and dedicated in promoting and preserving the language and culture.

She showed courtesy and respect to elders during their teachings to the students in her class.

Whenever the elders were there she made sure there was always country food for them.

She struggled to speak Inuinnaqtun and tried her best to the elders without being intimidated.

Kinaviak, a respected elder from Kugluktuk, was one of the founding members of the interpreter/translator program.

She believed in preserving the Inuinnaqtun language and culture.

She named the access program Pilagiaraq, which means A crossway for Ainiqs.

Kinaviak passed away battling cancer in August 2004 and this award is in her honour.