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INUVIK
Recipients of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals were honoured at a community feast at the Midnight Sun Complex on Sept. 9.

Peter Clarkson, left, Duane Smith, Fred Carmichael and Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Alfred Moses gather at the Midnight Sun Complex on Sept. 8 for a community feast and presentation of Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

Originally, a full day of events – including the medal celebration itself – was planned for the afternoon in Chief Jim Koe Park, but the weather kept people inside and the presentation was moved to the evening.

"The commemorative medals are just one element of the year-long celebration," said Bryce O'Connor, who was MCing the event.

The medals were created in honour of the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession to the throne.

The medals are presented to honour the contributions and achievements of Canadians. Sixty-thousand medals will be presented throughout the year.

Peter Clarkson, Duane Smith and Fred Carmichael were presented with Diamond Jubilee medals in front of a gathering of community members. Don Craik and Nellie Cournoyea were also named as recipients but were not available to take the stage.

"I look at the five people named and it's no surprise that they're up there," said Alfred Moses, MLA for Inuvik Boot Lake.

The MLA presented the medals to each of the recipients on behalf of Premier Bob McLeod.

"They're strong leaders," said Moses.

"They've built the foundations and path for Inuvik and they are role models for the community."

Moses said it was an honour to be presenting the medals to the community leaders, some of whom he can remember from when he was growing up in Inuvik.

"This community has many great leaders," said Moses.

"We have a lot of people who give so much and it's a great honour to be given a chance to recognize that."

The medal presentation was followed by a community feast and demonstrations by the Ingamo Hall Youth Dancers, the Northern Games Society and the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers.

"It was just too cold in the afternoon," said Tony Devlin, director of community services for the Town of Inuik, about the change of time and venue.

"We tried and some people made it out but we decided to postpone the event and just do everything at once in the evening."

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