July 7, 2000
VALERIE G. CONNELL
Nunatsiaq News
IQALUIT — Despite rain and cooler temperatures Canada Day was celebrated with gusto in Iqaluit.
"It’s all come together very nicely," said Marlene Quinton, co-ordinator of the Iqaluit Canada Day celebrations.
Highlights of the day were the parade leading from Joamie School to the curling rink, the swearing in of four new Canadians, the presentation of Canada Day youth, merit and parade awards, plus food, music and games.
Nunavut and Canadian flags were carried in the parade by members of Iqaluit’s air cadets squadron, as were the flags of the provinces of people visiting Iqaluit as part of the Celebrate Canada in the Capitals program. Several members of that group participated in the parade.
The festivities, originally scheduled for the school grounds in front of Nakasuk School, were held in the curling rink with a standing-room-only sized crowd.
Bernard Aubut of Iqaluit, Donald Mearns of Pangnirtung, Liu Zi (Jenny) Chen of Iqaluit, and Stephen Atkinson of Iqaluit became Canadian citizens in a ceremony led by Judge Beverly Brown.
"It’s good to be a new Canadian, in a new territory, and I was 40 this year to top it off," said Donald Mearns, who was also the piper for the swearing in ceremony. Mearns is vice-principal of Attagoyuk Illisavik high school in Pangnirtung.
"I am happy and excited to be a Canadian on this day," said Liu Zi (Jenny) Chen who runs a restaurant and coffee shop at the Navigator Inn with her husband Wai and business partner Simon Lee.
Canada Day youth and merit awards, sponsored by the federal government’s Celebrate Canada Committee were announced by Eliza Kingdon, president of the Nunavut Celebrate Canada Committee.
Youth awards went to Miali Elise Coley, Samantha Barnes, Jessie Mike, Suzanne Alookie and Jared Jensen "in recognition of their valuable contribution to their community and to Canada," Kingdon said.
Certificates of merit awards went to Iqaluit’s Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron 795 and the Iqaluit branch of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in recognition of their contribution to Canada Day and the Celebrate Canada initiative, Kingdon said.
Parade awards were presented by Marlene Quinton. They were presented to Allan and Eliza Kingdon, the Iqaluit day camp, the Arctic Winter Games 2002 committee and to the air cadet squadron.
A barbecue hosted by the Legion and games followed the official ceremonies.