RANKIN INLET - Nunavut Tourism unveiled its new cultural display at the Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre at the Rankin Inlet airport this past week.

The new Aulasaqtuq (Ice Jigging) cultural display unveiled at Nunavut Tourism's Kivalliq Regional Visitor Centre at the Rankin Inlet airport this past week includes work by the late Robert Tatty and elder John Towtongie. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The impressive work - Aulasaqtuq (Ice Jigging) - took more than a year to assemble, and includes work by the late Robert Tatty and elder John Towtongie, who cut the display's ceremonial ribbon.

The centre has an art display from every Kivalliq community except Chesterfield Inlet and Whale Cove, although the two do have binders of information at the site.

Centre manager Sara Acher said the display is a tribute to Kivalliq hunters, fishers and elders.

She said it's a way of showing respect for all they had to endure in the past.

"I was very pleased with the number of people who came for the official opening," said Acher.

"Hopefully, this will not only attract new visitors, but, also, bring back people who have already been here.

"Whether it's people from our community, business travellers or visitors to Nunavut who have been here before, we're hoping the new display will bring them back for another visit.

"As we saw opening night, once they see the new display, people will often go around the centre and look at the other exhibits again."

Acher said the future of the visitor centre is still up in the air right now.

She said response to the new display has been totally positive since it was added to the centre.

"There's been suggestions made about expanding the airport, and there's been suggestions made about the visitor centre being removed to accommodate more people in that area.

"But, that display, depending on how they restructure the airport, I would assume will stay at the airport.

"It would, however, be possible to move if we ever do get an actual full-fledged visitor centre in Rankin.

"It's unfortunate, but the Kivalliq is the only Nunavut region without a full-fledged visitor centre."