November 12, 1998
A flourish of the pen, a flash of fireworks
Nunavut's midwives are planning a birth ceremony that will reverberate from coast to coast to coast on April 1, 1999.
DWANE WILKIN
Nunatsiaq News
IQALUIT — Nunavut will burst into history five months from now with a flourish of the pen and a brilliant flash of fireworks.
In the busy day that follows, Iqaluit will be the scene of one ceremony after another, as the new territorial administration formally assumes responsibility for Nunavut's institutions of democratic government.
"There'll be no sleep for us that night," Bert Rose of the Nunavut celebration planning committee predicted.
The meticulously planned list of events was shown to Nunatsiaq News last week.
It all begins with a late-night ecumenical religious service at Nakasuk School on March 31, with prayer and thanks for the well-being and future prosperity of Canada's new territory.
Anglican and Catholic bishops of the Arctic are both expected to attend, as are the future members of Nunavut's first legislative assembly.
Many other communities are planning their own April 1 events, such as traditional games, dances and feasts. Nunavut residents everywhere will be able to see the following day's activities in Iqaluit on television.
Live coverage on CBC
CBC television plans extensive live coverage of the Nunavut hand-over on their 24-hour news channel Newsworld, with feeds from Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet, to be broadcast across the country April 1.
A special week-long exhibit of Inuit culture, including sculpture demonstrations, music and a presentation of contemporary Arctic clothing fashions is in the works for the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.
In the territorial capital, Nunavut's first few hours of existence will be given over to the observance of official protocol.
Then, at stroke of midnight, (Eastern time), an explosion of fireworks on the frozen beach in Iqaluit will signal that division of the Northwest Territories has taken place, as called for by law.
"There hasn't been fireworks here for seven or eight years, so that'll be a nice way to set it off," Rose said.
Numerous official ceremonies
Moments later, in the chambers of the new legislative assembly building, senior officials from Ottawa and Nunavut will gather to appoint Nunavut's first commissioner.
This has to be completed at the earliest possible moment on April 1 to avoid creating what the federal government calls a "constitutional void," Rose said.
"At the stroke of midnight we will no longer be part of the Northwest Territories, so we're going to have to have some sort of authority."
Indian and Northern Affairs Minister Jane Stewart, Canada's Clerk of the Privy Council Jocelyn Bourgon and Interim Commissioner Jack Anawak will be on hand to execute the transfer of authority and to witness this historic moment.
Shortly thereafter, officials will exchange signatures on a number of legal documents, clearing the constitutional path for further unfurling of Nunavut's political autonomy.
At 1 a.m., the newly appointed territorial commissioner joins Nunavut's chief justice in swearing in the other judges of the Nunavut court of justice.
Then it's time for organizers and volunteers to turn their attention to last-minute preparations for the arrival of what's been affectionately dubbed the "A-team" from Ottawa.
At 8 a.m. sharp, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will hold a short ceremony at the Cadet Hall to formally establish Canada's new policing district, Division V — the first new division created by the RCMP since creation of the Yukon division in 1974.
An hour later, Nunavut MLAs are to be sworn into office in time to meet Governor General Romeo Leblanc and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien in an official capacity when the "A-team" touches down at the airport, around 11:30 a.m.
An honor guard composed of 26 Canadian Rangers will greet Prime Minister Chrétien and his entourage at the Forward Operating Line (FOL) site, where the the day's formal signing ceremony takes place.
Gzowski, Aglukark and Kashtin
The protocol show that follows will be broadcast as a live CBC news special across the country from inside the Forward Operating Line (FOL) military base, where organizers hope to have enough seating for some 2,000 spectators.
Popular TV and radio host Peter Gzowski has been hired as the English-speaking master of ceremonies.
It's during the protocol show that Canadians will get their first glimpse of Nunavut's territorial flag and coat-of-arms. A short concert of music will be provided by Inuit pop singer Susan Aglukark and the Delta Drummers.
The protocol show concludes with a unique ceremony inspired by the Inuit custom of tikirumitaq — the name of the first meal eaten upon arrival after a long journey.
Dubbed the "communion of arrival" by Nunavut Tunngavik president Jose Kusugak, the ceremony will be led by three elders bearing gifts of food representing the sky, the earth and the water.
The elders, Mariano Aupalardjuk and Miriam Aglukark from the Keewatin region, and Elisapee Ootoovak of Pond Inlet will be asked to deliver a "declaration of Nunavut" modeled on the words traditionally spoken to newborn children.
Then it's time for a community feast, a period of rest for visiting dignitaries, and on to Inukshuk High School at 3:30 p.m. for the first sitting of the Nunavut Legislature.
Assembly building won't be ready
(MLAs are planning to meet at the high school April 1 because the installation of microphones and other electrical equipment at the new legislative assembly isn't expected to be completed by then.)
Here the MLAs may decide to swear in a premier and the members of Nunavut's first cabinet.
Chrétien and DIAND Minister Stewart are scheduled to leave Iqaluit late in the afternoon, but the Governor General plans to tour the community and attend a private reception with local dignitaries before his return to Ottawa.
A gala concert at the FOL site gets underway at 7:30 p.m., with performances by Susan Aglukark and other northern talent. Organizers are also talking with the Quebec-based pop band Kashtin and with the Nunavik musical group Angava.