Laura Power
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

IQALUIT - This year Nunavut Commissioner Ann Meekitjut Hanson presented a new arts award with a grand prize of $10,000.

But when it came time for the winner to be announced on Nunavut Day, it turned out to be a tie.

Thomas Iksiraq receives his $5,000 prize from Nunavut Commissioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson in Iqaluit on Nunavut Day. The other artist who split the prize was John Towtongie. - photo courtesy of the Office of the Commissioner

John Towtongie of Rankin Inlet and Thomas Iksiraq of Baker Lake will split the prize after their nominations were selected by a panel of three judges. Marie Fortier, the commissioner's assistant, said the two were basically equal.

"They were both deserving artists," she said, adding that because they were so equally qualified, "they (the judges) couldn't decide on one... they picked both for that reason."

Jim Shirley, one of the judges for the award, said this year the artists were picked for their contributions to their communities.

"The application didn't include things like seeing samples of people's work so we couldn't really base it on the kinds of artistic works that people did... the people that were picked have contributed of their time to other artists unselfishly," he said.

Towtongie, a printmaker from Rankin Inlet who has been sharing his talents for decades, was chosen largely for his work with the printmaking community .

"John Towtongie has been instrumental in the arts at Baker Lake for a long time. In part, he's been working very closely with the printmakers in Baker Lake, and has been an advocate," he said. "He's a selfless individual, he gives generously of his time and has supported the artists there and has earned their trust and confidence."

Shirley said Towtongie is an important interface between the Southern world and the artists of Baker Lake. Of Iksiraq, a craftsman specializing in the creation of tools and sculptures, he said he has taught a lot of people with his craftwork and provided a good example to other artists.

"As far as his commitment is concerned, he does excellent work and his craftsmanship is superb," said Shirley. "His work is greatly respected for his excellence and his craftsmanship. He's been very generous in giving time to artists."

He said Iksiraq is in his mid-80s and both of the artists have been working for more than 30 years.

"We need to recognize and respect those artists in particular who have put their time in," he said. "These are artists who have never been completely or thoroughly recognized for their work."

Shirley said for the next award, applications will be accepted well ahead of time and artists will be required to send in samples of their work for review. This way, the second annual commissioner's arts award will be judged based also on the artistic talent.