Photo: RCMP Sgt. Jimmy Akavak retires

Sgt. Jimmy Akavak, who retired from the RCMP Aug. 8 after 28 years, keeps a smile on his face as he enters his second week of retirement. Akavak, who grew up in Kimmirut, always wanted to join the force, since grandfather, father and uncle had all worked as RCMP members. “Most rewarding has been the people, people supporting me, encouraging me, and that I couldn’t have done it without them, those who told me yeah, keep going, keep going, don’t give up,” Akavak says. Read more about Akavak's long career in policing on Nunatsiaqonline.ca. (PHOTO BY SAMANTHA DAWSON)