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Aaron Pilakapsi, left, and Catherine Pilakapsi, wearing glasses, listen as Kivalliq Inuit Association president David Ningeongan, center, hosts the official unveiling of the Louis Pilakapsi Building in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Honouring a long-time president
KIA home in Rankin unveiled as Louis Pilakapsi Building

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 15, 2014

RANKIN INLET
A small ceremony was held to officially unveil the new home of the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) as the Louis Pilakapsi Building this past week in Rankin Inlet.

The building has an incredible picture of Pilakapsi above its main door.

Pilakapsi and his crew went down with his vessel (the Avataq) in 2000.

Communications and community officer Lisa Oolooyuk said the KIA honoured all its past presidents during its annual general meeting this past week.

She said Pilakapsi and Paul Kaludjak are the only KIA presidents to have held the position for six years.

"Pilakapsi's wife (Catherine) was starting to feel a little bit hurt because she felt he never got the recognition he deserved, and not just as KIA president," said Oolooyuk.

"She said it was really nice for Pilakapsi to be recognized, as well as herself as his wife, because she raised the family a lot of the time while he attended negotiations in Ottawa.

"Catherine was also pleased the KIA involved the entire family by having everyone who lives in Rankin -- his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren -- take part in the opening.

"She said she was really thankful Pilakapsi was honoured and is now being remembered."

The Pilakapsi family submitted a number of different photos to be considered for the building.

The photo of him dressed in hunting clothes was chosen because it represented him the best.

Oolooyuk said Pilakapsi was involved in the Land Claim negotiations before becoming KIA president from 1979 to 1984, and the agreement was actually signed during his time as president.

She said it would be hard to find anyone in the territory who doesn't know who Louis Pilakapsi is.

"Everyone knew Pilakapsi as a KIA politician, a Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. politician and a municipal politician.

"Many years ago narwhal were caught in Rankin and the RCMP confiscated the tusks, and it was Pilakapsi who led the protest walk to the police detachment.

"A lot of people of that generation were really intimidated by the thought of doing something like that, but he had a lot of confidence in himself to be able to do it.

"I don't think I'll ever meet one person who disagrees with honouring Pilakapsi by naming the building after him."

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