Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 13, 2007

IQALUIT - Two days of heavy rain and brisk winds over the first two days of the August long weekend ensured Iqalummiut remained housebound, dashing hopes of being out on the land.

Bob Loehr spent part of his civic holiday Monday fishing at Sylvia Grinnell Park. The holiday is a chance for him to relax and get outside. - Stephanie McDonald/NNSL photo

Luckily, on civic holiday Monday, the clouds parted and the sun emerged, which allowed city residents to get out of their homes to enjoy the day.

Across the country, the holiday on the first Monday of August is called by different names. Saskatchewan Day, British Columbia Day and New Brunswick Day celebrate those province's unique characteristics.

In Alberta it's called Heritage Day, Natal Day in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, and Simcoe Day in Toronto, Ontario.

In Nunavut, the name lacks lustre and creativity, bearing only the name civic holiday.

Iqalummiut who were out enjoying this summer's unusual spell of sunshine had a few suggestions of what Nunavut could rename its August long weekend.

"Golf day," said Stevan Whitmore, who was out with three friends, teeing off on the city's tundra course by the causeway.

"It never rains on golf day, although with that last shot, it might as well be raining," Whitmore said after a shot that was not to his liking.

Dean Gill suggested it be renamed Family Day. He was fishing at Sylvia Grinnell Park with his two children and fiancée Lori Nungaq.

Bob Loehr thought it would be appropriate to rename it the mid-summer holiday as it falls directly between the Canada Day and Labour Day long weekends.

Each civic holiday Loehr relaxes and enjoys the weather. This year he spent part of his day off fishing at the park.

For Tracy Thomas, the name of the holiday doesn't much matter.

"That fact that the sun is shining, that's the only thing to celebrate right now," she said when asked what Nunavummiut could celebrate on the long weekend.

Thomas had been on holidays in the United States and northern Ontario and had returned to town on a wet weekend.

She usually spends her holidays on the land, but last Monday saw her fishing with family.

Reepa Qaqqasiq was also unsure of what she would rename the holiday, although she was happy to have the day off work.

"We were going to go out boating, but it's too windy," she said.

She spent time in the park with her husband instead.

While there was no consensus on what Nunavut could rename the civic holiday, one thing was clear: all were happy to have the day off work and to be outside after damp days stuck indoors.