CLASSIFIEDSADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS

NNSL Photo/Graphic


Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size Email this articleE-mail this page

Nominee thinks of others first
First instinct for Jesse Mike after hearing she is nominated for citizens award

Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, November 23, 2015

IQALUIT
Jesse Mike's first thought about being nominated for an Everyday Political Citizen of the Year Award is about all of the great Nunavummiut who don't get media recognition.

NNSL photo/graphic

Jesse Mike has been nominated for an Everyday Political Citizen of the Year Award. She's honoured but also hopes more people in Nunavut can be recognized for contributions to their community. - photo courtesy of Jesse Mike

"As Inuit, it's not part of our nature or culture to boast," said Mike from Ottawa.

"I'm very humbled by this, but I think there are so many different things like this that could be very encouraging to other people who are doing great and important things in their community who are not necessarily big known names."

Mike is up for the award in the 18 to 29 age category. Samara Canada runs the initiative, which aims to celebrate contributions to civic and political life made by everyday Canadians who form the backbone of their communities.

Mike is well known in Iqaluit. She is being recognized for her work as director of the Nunavut Stars Hockey Camp and is a former president of both the National Inuit Youth Council and the Embrace Life Council.

Currently, she's an executive assistant to Minister Paul Okalik.

"It can change very quickly," she said about what's in store for her next. "I've just started my new job so I'm going to focus on that for a while. I have a young daughter who I need to focus a bit more on."

She often forgets how many projects she's involved in at a time. She also just started coaching the girls' hockey team in Iqaluit.

"I enjoy keeping busy and also being productive and contributing somehow, in any way I could, in the community," said Mike.

"I'm going to focus on that for the next season and the next couple of years but you never know (about the future). I have things happen all the time that provide different opportunities for me."

Mike was nominated by Anhuba Morin, an acquaintance in Iqaluit who became a friend.

"She's an amazing community resource and through that we've kind of become friends," said Mike about Morin.

The jury for the award will comprise figures such as John Baird and Rick Mercer.

The announcement of this year's winners will be in Toronto Dec. 3.

E-mailWe welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.