Iqaluit
"I have received a number of awards and this award is the one I appreciate the most. It comes from Nunavut and the people I love," said John Amagoalik on the evening of Oct. 28.

Edna Ekhivalak Elias, commissioner of Nunavut and chancellor of the Order of Nunavut, presents John Amagoalik with the certificate that accompanies the Order of Nunavut's medal Oct. 28 at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit. - photo courtesy of Michel Albert

The commissioner of Nunavut and chancellor of the Order of Nunavut, Edna Ekhivalak Elias, had just draped the order's medal around Amagoalik's neck.

This honour, dating to 2011, is reserved for those who have provided an outstanding contribution to the cultural, social or economic wellbeing of the territory.

A fellow student from residential school days in Churchill, Man., Larry Audlaluk, spoke at the investiture at the legislative assembly before members and the public.

Audlaluk remembered that Amagoalik was taller than him, skinny.

"I had to look up," he said, laughing. "I remember his eyes and the way he looked at people. No smile, not angry. A determined look. We saw that look on the video."

Audlaluk was referring to a 1976 clip, played in the chamber, from the popular CBC television show Front Page Challenge in which Amagoalik, the headline guest, patiently explains to panelists what the Inuit want. This was a few months after Amagoalik and other Inuit presented a claim to then prime minister Pierre Trudeau, wanting it settled before the construction of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Asked repeatedly what the Inuit want, Amagoalik replies, "We want to protect what we have left, which seems like a difficult thing to do."

Asked if the Inuit are after money, Amagoalik replies, "We want the survival of our people, our language, heritage, philosophy, way of life. You can't sell your heritage. It's something inside you."

In the 1970s, according to the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) website, Amagoalik was the first of many to call for the creation of an Inuit homeland to be called Nunavut. He was vice-president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada - ITK's previous name - and served two terms as president. He was the co-chairperson of the Inuit Committee on National Issues and chairperson of the Nunavut Constitutional Forum.

Audlaluk remembered when the First Ministers' Conference failed to achieve agreement on entrenchment of Inherent Aboriginal Rights in 1987, "John told all those premiers Inuit have not failed, they failed."

After the ratification of the Nunavut Act in 1993, Amagoalik was appointed chief commissioner of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, the organization that oversaw the arrangements leading up to Nunavut's creation on April 1, 1999.

Audlaluk continued his recounting of earlier days. "He was proficient. Wherever he went, he was surrounded by people. He was seen and heard. He was not loud."

Amagoalik was born at a seasonal camp near Inukjuak in northern Quebec. When he was five, his family and 17 others were relocated to the High Arctic communities of Resolute Bay and Grise Fiord, a life-changing event he described as being "dumped on the desolate shores of Cornwallis Island."

Audlaluk said, "Maybe that brought out his determination. With the promise of a good life, seeing his parents dumped on the barren grounds, and seeing the broken promises. Maybe that planted the seed."

"He had an uncanny drive and determination," said Audlaluk, adding that he always insisted Inuit were equal Canadians, despite the attempt at erasing them. He then thanked Amagoalik for going on, and for the inspiration

"You are a role model, a relative, a friend, a mentor, a leader."

Amagoalik, called "the father of Nunavut," noted in his acceptance speech that the Inuit political movement was likely born at the residential; school in Churchill.

Hunter Tootoo, former speaker of the legislative assembly and former chairperson of the Order of Nunavut Advisory Council, also spoke. As chairperson, he could not nominate Amagoalik.

"After I retired, I knew it was the first thing I was going to do. None of us would be here in this room today were it not for what John did. There would be no Nunavut to have an Order of Nunavut."

Those present for the ceremony, hosted by MLA George Qulaut, current Speaker of the legislative assembly, frequently broke out in applause in appreciation of the man they were there to honour.

Amagoalik acknowledged his beloved wife of 43 years and his two close invited friends, Audlaluk, who was also abandoned by the government at age three after relocation to the High Arctic, and James Arvaluk, who could not be present.

Amagoalik then said, "We were young warriors and afraid of nothing. Today, we are old warriors and are still afraid of nothing."

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