IQALUIT
Nutara Nowdlaq, a former client at Iqaluit's Qimaavik women's shelter, spent more than 30 minutes alone with Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and shelter representatives in a quiet room far away from the crowd at the Legislative Assembly. Nowdlaq spoke with the duchess about what the shelter means to her.

Tukisigiarvik's elder Seepa Ishulutak helps Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, properly learn an Inuit bone game, while the centre staff look on at the Nunavut Legislative Assembly in Iqaluit June 29. - photo courtesy REUTERS/Chris Wattie

"If there wasn't a women's shelter, I wouldn't be alive," said Nowdlaq, whose first language is Inuktitut.

"I am who I am today because of the women's shelter. I'm alive. It's good to be alive. It's good to wake up in the morning with no bruises on your face."

By all accounts, the duchess is notoriously private, a trait she amply demonstrated June 29 during her visit in Iqaluit with Prince Charles. She even blew the very tight schedule by more than 20 minutes while sequestered with Nowdlaq, as officials fidgeted in the foyer frequently glancing at their watches.

Iqaluit was Their Highnesses first stop of a three-day tour planned to coincide with Canada's 150th anniversary of confederation. But despite the pomp and circumstance surrounding such visits, and beautifully demonstrated outside with Canadian Rangers, the Nakasuk Elementary School choir, and speeches from dignitaries, Camilla was particular about how she would spend her time.

"It was very specific that she meet someone from our shelter. I thanked her for having that interest. I really don't know if there's going to be an outcome, but I think for her to specifically ask helps put (violence against women) on the radar," shelter board member Elisapee Sheutiapik said afterwards.

Domestic violence is Camilla's cause, as often reported in Britain.

"There's a shared experience with being a woman anywhere in the world, but she was specifically interested in the experience of women here," said Shastri.

"She was really attentive to the experience of being a woman in this community."

"I wanted him to grow up where there's no violence"

Qimaavik is a 21-bed shelter for women with children fleeing from domestic violence, while Sivummut has 12 beds for homeless women. Programming is designed to be used at both shelters, and includes art therapy - which can later translate into a way of earning income - counseling and preparation for an independent life.

Nowdlaq says from the time her son was born, she ran. It wasn't until her son was four and a half that she found her way to Qimaavik, where "there are no men . and no angry fathers."

Her son is now 17.

"I wanted him to grow up where there's no violence. I didn't know if I was doing the right thing or wrong thing . trying to raise my son alone. But I did the right thing. He's not drinking, he's not smoking, he's not like other kids out there doing bad stuff. Me and him ran so much . he does not want to go out with other kids (doing that stuff)," said Nowdlaq.

"I hope the women's shelter stays open, because a woman with a child would have no place to run if there's no women's shelter."

Prior to her time with Nowdlaq, Camilla toured the foyer of the Legislative Assembly with Commissioner Nellie Kusugak, where groups related to women and the wellness of Nunavummiut waited to discuss the work they do.

She spoke in a hushed voice with Tukisigiarvik's program coordinator Elisapi Aningmiuq and her staff, then learned a bone game from an elder. The centre offers practical support and assistance to individuals and families with personal and family issues in the areas of health, healing, education and employment.

Hovak Johnston, who leads the Tattoo Revitalization Project, had a few minutes with the duchess.

Johnston explained her work with Inuit women, using the photographs of the tattoo process and finished tattoos laid out on a table to help explain. The tattoo methods involve hand stitching or hand-poking - as was traditionally done. These methods were essentially lost until Johnston set out to bring them back.

"It felt like she was really engaged with the project. That was a very nice surprise. She was really interested in the meaning of the tattoos. When Nellie showed her personal tattoos, I was really glad," she said.

"We will never be so close to tattoos dying again."

The Qayuqtuvik Society Food Centre and the Inclusion Cafe had their moments with the duchess.

Michael Lockley, chef for the cafe, even exchanged contact information with Her Highness.

"Her son is a well-known chef. She offered to send me one his cookbooks," said Lockley.

The Quality of Life team of assistant deputy minister for the GN's secretariat Karen Kabloona and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s Aqattuaq Kiah Hachey, which released their five-year suicide prevention action plan June 26, explained a variety of programs and efforts.

"It's a hard story to tell in three minutes," said Kabloona.

"We did have the opportunity to speak about risk factors and protective factors," added Hachey.

Prince Charles spent time in the great hall of the Legislative Assembly learning about language preservation efforts.

President of Pirurvik Leena Evic, director of language training Eva Aariak, senior instructor Myna Ishulutak, senior instructor Amanda Kuluguqtuk, and students Ceporah Kilabuk, Tina Decouto and Pamela Wood. Representatives of the Atausiq Inuktut Titirausiq Task Group and Language Authority, along with Nunavut's new language commissioner Helen Klengenberg, updated the prince on progress on the unified writing system since the Welsh study tour last fall was funded by his charity.

The Prince also paid quick visits to the Nunavut Research Institute and the community greenhouse.

The royal visit concluded at Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park, where Charles and Camilla viewed an exhibition of a traditional Inuit village before joined the community for country foods, art and performances.

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