Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

CLYDE RIVER - Ever since she was a little girl, Eleanor Arnakak wanted to be Miss Clyde River.

She remembers watching the ladies lined up in their fancy dresses, vying for the title at the community hall.

Eleanor Arnakak beams after being crowned Miss Clyde River 2007. She beat out five other contestants in the annual hamlet beauty contest on July 3. - photo courtesy of Peter Iqalukjuak

"I wanted to grow up to be just like them," she said.

So on July 3, when she beat five of Clyde's loveliest competitors on the makeshift catwalk for the 2007 title, Arnakak said she just couldn't hide her pleasure.

"I smiled so much my cheeks were tired," she said. "I was pretty surprised. I thought I wasn't going to win."

Nick Illauq, a member of hamlet council and Arnakak's boyfriend, estimated the event has been an annual highlight for about 25 years.

"It's been going on for so long, it's just become a tradition," he said. "The hall was packed."

Similar to the rules for Miss Nunavut and Miss Canada, the Clyde River competitors must be over 16 and unmarried. To be eligible, they must register at least one day ahead.

Prizes range from $300 for first to $100 for third. Unlike most other pageants, no speeches or songs are required from the contestants - just a nerve-wracking walk across the stage, with the whole town looking on.

This year, the judges included a local RCMP officer, a nurse and a construction worker.

"It's pretty much a straight-up beauty contest. Based not just on looks, but how they're dressed and their makeup," Illauq explained. "It takes guts to enter the contest. You have to be confident to know you're going to win. The ones with confidence tend to win it."

For third-place winner Saimataq Sanguya, the toughest part of the evening was definitely the footwear.

"It's hard to walk in those heels," she said. "I just wear steel-toe boots in my day to day!"

Her sister had previously won the title, so her mom had encouraged her to participate.

"I was nervous, but it was fun," she said.

It wasn't the shoes, but the choice of a dress that initially had Arnakak stumped. With a little help, she eventually settled on a full length, blue floral piece.

"It was pretty hard. I had a bunch lined up, so my boyfriend picked," she said. "I guess he picked the winner!"

Her family and friends were all in attendance to cheer her on, including her 11-month-old baby, Erica.

For the rest of the year, Arnakak is now required to attend certain hamlet events in her new capacity as Miss Clyde River.

Asked if she'd like her daughter to someday follow her lead, Arnakak didn't hesitate in her response.

"I hope so," she said. "And my mom really wants her to be!"