ARVIAT - The community of Arviat came together to celebrate Nunavut's Embrace Life Day earlier this month.

One of the highlights of the day was the Love Walk, which included participants of all ages.

Child and youth outreach worker Kukik Baker said the walk began at the schools and continued through the hamlet, ending at the John Ollie Complex.

She said a special ceremony was held at the end of the walk to present a male and female Role Model of the Year award.

Both winners received $250.

"Joe Jr. (Nap) Karetak was our male role model and Kayrene Palu Kadlak was our female winner," said Baker.

"Both were excellent choices and, after we presented the awards, we had a talk on suicide and suicide prevention, handed out pamphlets and pins, and treated the whole community to a lunch of barbecued hot dogs."

The celebrations continued with a poster contest for the elementary and middle schools, which will see six winners selected from each school.

The winning elementary students will receive a digital camera, while middle school winners will get a MP4 player.

Baker said the 12 winning posters will be made into a 2010 calender and given out to the community.

She said a separate logo contest is being held for the high school, with one winning student to receive a digital camera and memory card.

"The winning logo will be made into T-shirts or hats, and given out as prizes on the Arviat Youth Program's (AYP) weekly radio show.

"The prizes, calenders and clothing are all donated by the AYP, as well as some of the food.

"Each community was given $1,000 from the Embrace Life Council, which paid for most of the food.

"I don't think we could have selected two better role models for the youth of Arviat, and we were pleased to have so many people in the community participate in the Love Walk, as well as our barbecue and other Embrace Life Day events."