IQALUIT - He has lived and travelled all over the world, including Scotland and England, and has bicycled through Japan, but Canada's Arctic has captured John Maurice's attention for over 30 years.

Iqaluit mayor Elisapee Sheutiapik presents John Maurice with the 2010 Honorary Toonik Award at the opening ceremonies of the 45th Toonik Tyme celebrations. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

This is where he discovered a love for teaching, a passion for volunteering and giving back to his community. It is for these reasons and many more, that Maurice was named the 2010 Honorary Toonik at the opening ceremonies of he 45th Toonik Tyme celebrations on April 7.

"It is a real thrill and a real honour," he said.

As a young man, Maurice started off his teaching career in Aklavik, NWT in 1975 after graduating university. After a year, he left for Japan but a love for the Arctic would draw him back. He returned to the North, settling in Igulik where he spent around 10 years.

Maurice said at that time the community was very traditional, there was no television, drugs or alcohol.

"It was a good place to get to know the North and it was a good introduction to Northerner life," he said, adding people spent a lot of time out on the land hunting and camping.

It is in Iglulik where he met his wife Rhoda Ungalaq. They would go on to have four children and two granddaughters. The couple later moved to Iqaluit and Maurice taught at Nakasuk School and Joamie School. He retired in 2008 after 32 years and 68 days of teaching.

Maurice is heavily involved in the community as head coach and president of the Nunavut Speed Skating Association, representing Speed Skating Nunavut, sitting on several subcommittees for the city, and is an active member of the Iqaluit Roman Catholic Church.

He is one of three original volunteers with the Kamatsiaqtut Nunavut Help Line. Maurice said he enjoys being active in the community as it is a good opportunity to give back and get involved.

"I think I would be bored stiff if I was sitting at home," he said.

Maurice joins a list of distinguished individuals who have been Honorary Tooniks, including Canadian prime minister John Diefenbaker, former Governor General Roland Michener, Prince Charles of Wales and other well-respected individuals.

When not volunteering Maurice said he enjoys reading, studying languages and going out to the family cabin.

Two of his most recent visits abroad were to Italy and Chile where he was accompanied on each trip by one of his sons. Maurice said he and Ungalaq plan on going to Australia and New Zealand in the near future.

As much as the Honorary Toonik said he loves to travel there is always something that draws him back to the North that he calls home.