Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, May 14, 2007

IQALUIT - Still waters run deep, and Amon Ootoova is no exception to that old axiom. He is a quiet youth, and ponders questions carefully, weighing his words.

You can see the wheels spinning in Ootoova's head when he ponders a question. His eyes narrow he looks down, and strokes his chin as if he had a beard.

The 17-year-old Iqaluit resident left Pond Inlet eight years ago, and still thinks of that community as his home.

"I don't know as many people here, but, there is work here. I work down at Northmart as a bag boy," said Ootoova.

He is in Grade 11 at Inuksuk high school, and hopes to graduate soon.

Like many young Nunavummiut, he sees the trades as his ticket to success.

"I want to go to trade school, for aircraft maintenance," said Ootoova.

There isn't much for a 17-year-old to do in Iqaluit, especially if he doesn't drink or do drugs.

"No drugs and no alcohol. Sometimes my parents get loud, they are heavy drinkers. I'd like to see more to do here, I'd like to see bands. There used to be an arcade here, I'd like to see another one," said Ootoova.

Ootoova may be out of luck when the White Stripes come to Iqaluit. Right now the show is listed as a 19-plus licensed event, pending a liquor permit.

Ootoova turns 18 this summer; still a year too young to enjoy the band live this summer.

"I like that band, I'd go for sure," said Ootoova.

The loss of the arcade isn't the only change in Iqaluit seen by Ootoova in his eight years in the city.

"The new buildings are a change, and the smoking by-law, that was a huge change," said Ootoova.

When offered a chance to deliver a message to readers, Ootoova didn't hesitate.

"Graduate school," was Ootoova's advice.