Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND
When it comes to winning beauty pageants, Joseph Carlos Kooneeliusie has it all figured out.

Joseph Carlos Kooneeliusie is Mr. Qikiqtarjuaq 2012, beating three other residents. The late entry to the New Year's celebration contest says he didn't even shower, and still won. - photo courtesy of Joseph Carlos Kooneeliusie

"I didn't put a lot of effort into it," said Kooneeliusie, who was named Mr. Qikiqtarjuaq 2012 at the hamlet's New Year's celebrations. "I didn't even take a shower. I just entered at the last minute, just before the competition began. I wasn't really prepared."

Perhaps his laissez-faire attitude indicates the burden of his natural good looks as the Mr. and Miss Qikiqtarjuaq contest is judged strictly on appearances. This year, recreation committee member Melia Nookiguak, Inuksuit school principal Juanita Balhuizen, and Susie Rhoda Aliqatuqtuq chose the "best-looking" winners, recreation coordinator Eena Kooneeliusie said. Joseph beat three other men for the title after they and the nine female contestants walked around the gymnasium just after the clock struck midnight to herald in the New Year.

"We have music playing," Eena said. "They just walk around showing to the people and the committee."

Laila Alookie took the Miss Qikiqtarjuaq title. Unlike her male counterpart, the 18-year-old Nunavut Arctic College student knew she was going to enter.

"Someone had to fix my hair and I had to dress up and put makeup on," she said, noting her family and friends were excited to see her win. "They think it was awesome. They like what I did with myself, and they were proud of me. It feels great."

For Joseph's girlfriend, it seemed natural that he should be chosen.

"She was like, 'Wow, no wonder you won – you're so hot,'" he laughed.

His friends tease him, suggesting he now has a responsibility to praise Alookie each time he sees her.

"They wanted me to say to the girl I won with, 'Pretty looking girl, you're pretty just like me'," he said.

Despite the fact that she is single, Alookie says she has not been fielding calls from potential suitors. Perhaps that's because she still hasn't received her crown.

"We were supposed to give a small crown to Laila," Eena said, "but we lost it and found it after we cleaned up the stage. I still have the crown but I haven't given it to Laila yet."

Both contestants received $180 cash prizes provided by the hamlet. Alookie spent the money on clothing for her daughter while Joseph spent most of it on food and his written driving test. Both plan to enter again next year, but Joseph plans to put a bit more effort into the bid to retain his title, including taking a shower.

"I'm going to style my hair and shave my moustache and all that," he said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.