IQALUIT - On December 20, 2008, Sandy Oolayou and his friend Jacob Shimaiyuk went hunting in Ward Inlet near Iqaluit. It was like a day like any other. Little did they know they would be saving someone's life.

Nunavut's most recent commissioner, Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, presents Elisha Kilabuk with the Commissioner’s Award for Acquisition of Special Skills for his commitment and dedication to sharing his traditional knowledge through song, games and storytelling. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

"That day was unexpected and I wasn't expecting to see someone in the water," said Oolayou.

Oolayou and Shimaiyuk had been hunting with their friend Jeetaloo Kakee. Kakee had gone to hunt in a different area. He fell through the ice and was floating there for close to an hour. Oolayou noticed they had not seen Kakee and saw him in the water and that he was not responding.

"When I first saw him I didn't panic, I was a little shocked at first but I had to try and save his life," said Oolayou. After several attempts, the pair pulled Kakee out of the water. He suffered a severe case of hypothermia, frostbite to his feet and had ingested a lot of salt water.

For their efforts, Oolayou and Shimaiyuk received the Commissioner's Award for Bravery presented at an awards ceremony held as part of the Commissioner's Levy and Awards presentation on April 10. This was the last set of presentations made by commisioner Ann Meekitjuk Hanson before her term came to an end at midnight on April 10.

Elisha Kilabuk received the Commissioner’s Award for Acquisition of Special Skills for his commitment and dedication to sharing his traditional knowledge through song, games and storytelling.

He has spoken to different levels of government, Inuit organizations and at the visitors' centre. He said it is important to continue the tradition of storytelling and to maintain Inuit culture.

"Today the majority of the people don't know Inuit legends and I want to tell them," said Kilabuk.

He is the youngest child of the late Mukpaloo and Peter Kilabuk. He said he would not have gotten involved in storytelling or throat singing if it had not been for his mother.

Hanson told the audience at the ceremony she thought Kilabuk would make a good commissioner.

The Commissioner's Award for Acquisition of Special Skills was also given to Elisapi Aningmiuq. Born outside of Kimmirut on the land, she took the skills, knowledge and values she learned on the land and now shares them with individuals and families who need support to improve their quality of life.

Aningmiuq is an active community member and has been delivering cultural skill development programs for almost 20 years.

"Her energy and enthusiasm has given many people the self-confidence to help themselves and use their skills to contribute to society," said Hanson.

On Aug.8, 2005, Eric McNair-Landry along with friend Mike Miffen rescued Pauloosie Ipeelie from the water behind the visitor centre in Iqaluit. For this act, McNair-Landry was also given the Commissioner’s Award for Bravery. Ipeelie had been riding on a make-shift raft made of Styrofoam before it flipped over in the water. McNair-Landry and Miffen got a canoe and pulled the boy from the water.

“I didn’t do anything and I don’t deserve this,” said a humble Lizzie Kelly who received the Commissioner’s Award for Community Service.

Kelly has been working as the elders’ co-ordinator at the Elders’ Qammak since 1994. She organizes activities and programs for the elders. Kelly said she loves her job and working with the elders.

Okalik Curley accepted a Commissioner’ s Award for Bravery on behalf of her deceased mother Kanajuq Ipeelie. In May of 1972, Ipeelie rescued Koovianatukuluk Hanson Flanagan, one of the commissioner’s daughters, from a deep spring puddle were she was bobbing up and down in the water.