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<\/p>\nJohn Amagoalik gets chance to see students\u2019 handiwork, responds to their questions <\/p>\n
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Former Nunavut leader John Amagoalik is the subject of a research project created by Grade 6 and 8 students at Resolute Bay\u2019s Qarmartalik School. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda McKenzie)<\/p>\n
Jake Amarualik wants to know if it was difficult to create Nunavut.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s one of six Grade 6 and 8 Qarmartalik School students in Resolute Bay who studied the life and legacy of former leader John Amagoalik, one of the territory\u2019s founders, for a class project.<\/p>\n
Their research sparked more questions about Amagoalik\u2019s life and work, which Nunatsiaq News posed to the Father of Nunavut himself, Wednesday during an interview at Embassy West Senior Living in Ottawa.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we travelled across the country to talk about the creation of Nunavut during that time, it was difficult at first,\u201d Amagoalik said in answer to Amarualik\u2019s question.<\/p>\n
\u201cSometimes we had a hard time breaking through and there was some asperity in parts of the country \u2026But we regarded the process as learning from each other\u2019s side and that is how progress is made.\u201d<\/p>\n
Students Desiree Kalluk and Bruce Idlout wondered whether government officials listened to or respected Inuit leaders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAt that time, our country was supportive of our efforts but they seem to have become lax,\u201d Amagoalik said. \u201cWe\u2019ll have to prepare for another trip across the country to remind the people that we\u2019re here and our language is still vibrant.\u201d<\/p>\n Originally developed around National Day for Truth and Reconciliation last fall, the project explores Amagoalik\u2019s role in the creation of Nunavut and such periods in Inuit history as High Arctic relocations and residential schools.<\/p>\n Amagoalik and his family were forcibly relocated to Resolute Bay from Nunavik in 1953.<\/p>\n Over the course of his career, he chaired the Nunavut Implementation Commission, served two terms as president of Inuit Tapirisat of Canada (now called Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami), and helped negotiate the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.<\/p>\n \u201cI really want [my students] to know that somebody worked hard for them to be able to get here, and for us to be able to have Nunavut at all,\u201d said teacher Rhonda McKenzie in an interview over Zoom.<\/p>\n \u201cJohn was not alone in this work, but he stood at the frontlines,\u201d she added in an email.<\/p>\n The display recognizes Amagoalik as the Father of Nunavut, a title he said he accepts with pride.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel it gives me confidence in my work. The whole territorial population has been behind this work and if they want to call me Father of Nunavut, I\u2019m proud of it,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n McKenzie said the class plans to continue highlighting other Inuit leaders and elders, including Tagak Curley, Zebedee Nungak, Charlie Watt, Abe Okpik, Piita Irniq and Mumilaaq Qaqqaq.<\/p>\n The 78-year-old, who also had a chance to see the project, said he was touched by the students\u2019 efforts to learn about the creation of Nunavut.<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t see these things every day,\u201d he said, pointing at the students\u2019 drawings of him. \u201cIt makes you feel proud of how young people are reacting to this. Nothing like this happens, except in hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/260612.100.95_KITIA_KQBR.png\" "\\"\\"")
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