 |
|
|
|
|
   
|
Celebrating in Rankin Darrell Greer Northern News Services Published Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The event was sponsored by Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. with help from the Hamlet of Rankin Inlet and other volunteers. Mayor Pujjuut Kusugak was one of the volunteers behind the barbecue at the event. Kusugak said they went through 500 hotdogs and 500 hamburgers during the afternoon. He said while the crowd may have been down a bit from 2010, everyone seemed to have a great time. "The crowd may have been a bit smaller than last year, but, with such beautiful weather, I'm guessing a lot of people took advantage of the long weekend out fishing or at their cabins," said Kusugak. "But everyone at the event looked very happy with the live music going on, and lots of great prizes being drawn and games being played for all ages." Kusugak has earned a bit of a reputation on the barbecue this summer. He said it all started when he volunteered to go on the grill with Jordin Tootoo on Aboriginal Day. "Jordin said some nice things about my barbecuing on Aboriginal Day, so maybe I'm going to be stuck behind the barbecue for the rest of the season now, but I don't mind. "I have to manage my time a bit between my job, being mayor, people asking for meetings and taking part in events, but I get a lot of good support in the community. "I really enjoy taking part in public events, so I don't mind doing that." Kusugak said taking part in community events is an important role for a mayor. He said it's a chance to interact with a lot of people in the community with whom he might not get the chance to speak otherwise. "Some people feel comfortable enough during community events to make comments or suggestions. "Even when I see people at the store, arena or airport, they're often more comfortable talking with me because it's not a formal setting. "That's why it's important for a mayor to be visible in the community and interact with people in comfortable surroundings."
|
