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INUVIK
One of the prime advocates of National Aboriginal Day had his moment in the sun June 21.

Gwich'in Inuvik Band chief Herbert Blake and Inuvik Mayor Floyd Roland were happy to celebrate National Aboriginal Day June 21. - Shawn Giilck/NNSL photo

Mayor Floyd Roland was acknowledged for helping push through the NWT holiday that is recognized across Canada, even if it's only celebrated as a statutory holiday in the NWT.

Herbert Blake, the chief of the Inuvik Native Band, made a point of thanking Roland for his work on the holiday during the opening celebrations at Chief Jim Koe Park.

"The purpose of recognizing the day is to mark the contributions our society has made to Canada," he said. "It's about the future, making the North a better place for all Canadians. It's about recognizing the importance of our society, and more so I want to thank the GNWT for their role, which was significant, in helping us to create a holiday for our people here. I really appreciate that."

Roland, he added, was owed a large measure of the credit for that recognition. It was his first chance to celebrate the holiday as Inuvik mayor.

"Mayor Roland is owed a lot of thanks for his significant role, and we'll continue to do that in the future."

Roland was more modest about his contributions.

Roland said he was "only an MLA" at the time when the proposal was brought forward.

"Being born and raised up here, when Canada recognized us as a people, the next step was celebrating that with a holiday of the contribution of the people of the Territories," he said. "You look at the whole history of Canada as a nation and how it was developed, and especially the North, who helped keep some of the first people who came up here alive. It was aboriginal people and our expertise on the land, and we continue to do that.

"You look at the leadership that's been shown, and the devolution agreement and how the aboriginal groups are officially at the table as participants, we're classed as stakeholders and having this day is part of that recognition."

The celebrations were special for a couple of guests, too.

Bob and Lee Duncan, who are both 90, travelled to Inuvik for the fourth time from their home in North Bend, Oregon, to mark their 71st anniversary. They had driven in a recreational vehicle up the Dempster Highway over the last few weeks, taking in the scenery.

They attended the festivities, which was their first Aboriginal Day, and their presence was acknowledged by MC Gerry Kisoun. The couple was delighted with the attention they received throughout the afternoon.

"We both love Inuvik," Bob Duncan said. "And the youth is so respectful toward elders, it's lovely. We're not used to that."

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