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Nunavummiut in the spotlight

Three National Aboriginal Achievement Awards find homes in the North

MIRIAM HILL

At a gala awards presentation on March 10, three of Nunavut’s own will take to the stage at a concert hall in Winnipeg to receive 2002 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards.

Retired Inuit broadcaster Jonah Kelly, Cape Dorset carver Ohito Ashoona, and Rankin Inlet hockey star Jordin Tootoo are three of five Northerners chosen by a national jury to receive the award.

Since 1994, 14 outstanding aboriginal men and women have been selected each year and recognized for their career contributions in an effort to dispel stereotypes about aboriginal people, provide role models for youth and promote harmony among all Canadians.

Jonah Kelly of Iqaluit was selected in the media and communications category. Kelly worked for more than 35 years on-air with CBC North and was a pioneer in Inuktitut broadcasting.

Still active in the community — retirement is something for old people, he says, "And I’m not old," — Kelly is a director of programs with the Arctic Winter Games.

His voice and words still powerful, Kelly said he was surprised and honoured by the award.

"There is very little recognition if it’s not in the English language or French," he said of his journalistic career.

As one who cleared the way for other Inuit broadcasters, Kelly said journalists today are "digging in the wrong place."

"What is the news?" he asked. Reporters today have a tendency to take the easy route, he said, and try and stir up controversy rather than dig into the real stories.

When asked who he looks to as a role model, Kelly is quick to answer.

"My father. He was and has always been," he said. "He told me that if we’re going to survive in our culture, we are going to have to be survivors of what comes along. I hope I’ve done that and will do that in the future."

"Don’t give up"

Cape Dorset carver Ohito Ashoona, chosen for an award in the arts and culture category, has similar advice for Nunavummiut.

"We don’t have many jobs up there yet, but don’t give up," he said, speaking from Toronto where he has lived for almost a year. "Keep going, don’t give up, you’ll get there."

Ashoona knows of what he speaks. The 49-year-old has become one of the world’s premiere Inuit artists. His work is part of the collections of Yoko Ono, several National Hockey League players and a variety of Southern galleries.

Carving makes him feel good, he said, and he’s proud to do it well, as his father, uncle and grandmother did.

Ashoona may be working on his carving in Toronto, but his heart is still in the North.

His wife and daughter are still in Cape Dorset, and he misses being able to go hunting. He said it’s a different kind of task trying to create art when he’s not at home, but he’s doing well, nonetheless, and speaks excitedly of an upcoming show in Switzerland.

"It’s a lot of work," he said. "I’m busy, but I’m happy."

Ashoona flies home this week for a visit before returning to work and attending the award ceremony in March.

"I’ll never forget"

Rankin Inlet’s 19-year-old hockey star, Jordin Tootoo, was home for a week during Christmas, and the National Youth Aboriginal Award recipient said it was great to see family and friends again.

Speaking on his cell phone from Calgary, Tootoo, the only Inuk drafted in to the NHL (the Nashville Predators nabbed him earlier this year), said the award is something he will cherish.

"There are so many people out there that have achieved a lot and I was pretty excited to get nominated," he said. "It’s something I’ll never forget."

With the youth award comes a $10,000 scholarship to be used to further the recipient’s education and/or career.

Notorious for his hard-hitting checks, Tootoo said he wanted to deliver a message to Nunavut youth to work hard and set high goals.

"Never give up and make sure you get your Grade 12 education because that’s probably the most important thing in life," he said.

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