More than just a meal
Elder's breakfast a time for interaction and socializing
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
A solid gathering of elders came out for the holiday season's annual Christmas Elder's Breakfast in Rankin Inlet this past week.
Pujjuut Kusugak serves a tasty plateful of goodies to elders Olivia Pissuk, left, and Arnasaluk Kaput during the Christmas Elder's Breakfast in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo
|
This year's event was sponsored by former Rankin mayor Pujjuut Kusugak, who was campaigning for the presidency of the Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA) at the time.
Kusugak said the breakfast is usually a hamlet event, but he wanted to take the opportunity to acknowledge the elders this year.
He said he decided to sponsor this year's breakfast as a sign of respect, not just to gain more votes.
"I enjoyed doing this when I was mayor of Rankin, and the elders appreciate the gesture," said Kusugak. "It was made possible by different sponsors I had on the campaign, but it was a lot of fun and something I really wanted to do."
Kusugak said it's important for special events to be held for the elders.
He said he held a special elder's feast in Arviat, thanks to the community supplying different kinds of traditional food for the event.
"This is a way of thanking the elders, and letting them know we appreciate all the time they give us teaching and passing on traditional knowledge, and it's a time for us just to be able to interact.
"It's not just an Inuit custom, but a way we, as a society, acknowledge our elders for all the contributions they've made to our communities and to us as individuals.
"I go into elders' homes during my visits to the communities and a lot of them tell me it's nice to have a visitor, you know, just someone to talk with.
"The breakfast is one small way for our elders to interact with each other, and they don't get to do that as much as some people might think they do."
Kusugak said he made a point of attending elder gatherings during his time with the hamlet and KIA.
He said from what he experienced in those years, he has no doubt elders appreciate every event held for them.
"They've given so much of their time over the years and now they appreciate the time we give back to them.
"Some elders don't see visitors for days, or even longer, and they just want someone to communicate with.
"These events create the opportunity for them to socialize, and they light up when they see an old friend they haven't seen for awhile.
"I wish we could all, people everywhere, make more time to be with our elders because they love spending time with us so much, and it shows them they're still included in our communities."
