IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Kane Tologanak, currently on annual leave from the Department of Community and Government Services, will slide right into retirement come Aug. 28. But it won't go unnoticed. His service is legendary, although the man is humble.

Kane Tologanak, seen here with the award he received last year for his dedication to the Omingmak Frolics in Cambridge Bay, is retiring this summer after a long career dedicated to community. - NNSL file photo

"I worked as a recreation and playground co-ordinator," he said about the start of his work life.

One does not learn from him the details of his work and volunteerism through the years. He just laughs it off, jokingly asking how he should be expected to remember.

But friends and colleagues don't forget.

During his many years of involvement in some form of government - including on boards, such as the Nunavut Impact Review Board and other organizations, such as the Isaksimagit Inuusirmi Katujjiqatigiit (Embrace Life Council) - his focus was always on community.

"I always enjoyed working with people so I continued throughout my life to work for the people and with the people," he said.

"And any way I can help, I tried to help. I was never shy to talk."

Kevin Niptanatiak, the Kitikmeot's regional director at the GN's Department of Community and Government Services, first joined the department in January 2003. He had more to say.

"He was my direct supervisor and mentor," said Niptanatiak. "I was actually an intern. It was fantastic. He has a wealth of knowledge."

Tologanak was, in fact, regional director, the position Niptanatiak now holds.

"He has great knowledge of the municipalities, the mayors, the senior administrative officers, being an MLA with the GNWT, and a minister," said Niptanatiak.

"His ability to speak English, Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun was incredible. It was incredible. We'd go to any community, wherever, and he would adjust to the local dialect. Very well respected."

"Huge boots to fill," added Niptanatiak.

Those boots had their start before hamlets were hamlets or what was then the vast Northwest Territories had its own elected government.

Charlie Evalik, president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association for more than 15 years, worked alongside Tologanak, "when we were what they call now SAOs - senior administrative officers."

Tologanak worked, in the early 70s, with the Department of Local Government. One of the primary goals was to organize the first settlement councils.

"He worked advising the communities on what needed to be done in terms of managing a community. He was conscientious."

Tologanak was elected MLA in 1979 for what was then known as the Central Arctic, and also served as minister of health.

"I've always been involved with people," said Tologanak. "People decided that I can represent them. So I did the best I could."

The son of RCMP special constable John Tologanak, he said his sense of "politics" is something that was passed on to him.

"My parents have always been involved with people whether by travelling or by association of some sort ... Got along always with people, helping them and assisting them in any way that can be. That's the way I grew up."

Evalik was Tologanak's executive assistant during his four-year term.

"We did work together pretty closely, then. We did visit all the communities, we travelled quite a bit to all the communities - not just in what is called Nunavut now, when it was all of the NWT. So not only Inuit communities, but Dene communities, as well."

These were the years settlements were headed toward being incorporated as hamlets, and the years when the Central Arctic made way for the Kitikmeot.

"He made the Kitikmeot region the Kitikmeot, a region away from Fort Smith."

By the time Tologanak left office in 1983, the GNWT included Kitikmeot West and Kitikmeot East.

As minister of health, Tologanak and Evalik worked on a number of other issues.

"We did start that Stanton hospital in terms of the work that was required to be done."

Funding for the $37-million hospital in Yellowknife was approved on Tologanak's watch.

Tologanak was "easy to be approached," said Evalik.

"Communities reached out to him with the concerns that were being raised.

The communities will miss him. He is one of the longer-term employees of the government of the NWT, plus the government of Nunavut."

But Evalik adds that the retirement is well-deserved, that travel can make it hard to spend time with family. Indeed, Tologanak said he plans on spending the time now freed up with his family.

"He loves his family, his extended family. He has several grandchildren and I know he loves spending time with them," said Niptanatiak.

"I've already went and had a visit with him and he's enjoying the beautiful sunshine on his deck."

And for all those worrying about the disappearance of Tologanak, he has this to say: "I won't become a hermit, or anything like that."

Then he erupts into laughter.

"In some way I will continue to work with the people and for the people."

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