Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Oct 03/05) - Former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq spent last week in Normandy, France, stacking stone to form an inukshuk, pointing to Canada and overlooking the Juno Beach Canadian memorial centre.

Irniq is preparing for the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey, Oct. 25 to Nov. 4, which will include 20 Inuit, Metis and First Nations veterans from the Second World War.

A select group of 13 aboriginal youth - chosen through an essay writing contest - will also join the delegation, which is travelling to Belgium as well as France.

Coral Harbour's Delilah Misheralak will represent Nunavut.

"This trip is to recognize the contribution of aboriginal people during the war," said Irniq in Montreal's airport before departing for France. His contribution is meant to connect fallen soldiers with Canada.

"There will be a window on top of the Inukshuk - because Inuit never had telescopes - that will face the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy on one side, and Canada on the other."

At home in Iqaluit, Irniq's wife Marie described her perception of the inukshuk's meaning.

"It symbolizes strength and is recognized as part of Inuit tradition," she said. "The purpose is to bring aboriginal spirituality over (to Europe) to put spirits at peace."

Irniq began searching for suitable rocks for the inukshuk in quarries near the Juno Beach Centre on Sept. 27.

Considering his flight home to Iqaluit was scheduled for Oct. 1, he didn't have a lot of time to find the stones, construct the inukshuk and hop back on a plane to Canada.

"There is a certain amount of preparation and planning to do since this is a country I am foreign to," said Irniq. "At home I know where the stones are. Here, I don't.

"I have asked that all veterans coming on the journey bring rocks or gravel from their respected communities with them to scatter around the Inukshuk," said Irniq. "This is not just for Inuit, but for all Canadians."

The inukshuk unveiling ceremony is on Oct. 30.