3 new members join Order of Nunavut at Iqaluit ceremony

Tagak Curley, Father Robert Lechatand William Lyallwereinducted into theOrder of Nunavut Thursday night at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit.

Commissioner Nellie Kusugakpresided over the ceremony.

Curley was a longtime staple of Nunavut politics, serving as an MLA and cabinet minister in the Nunavut legislative assembly from 2003 until 2014. He also served in the Northwest Territories legislative assembly from 1979 to 1987. Before that, he was the founding president of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, the forerunner to the national Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

Lyall has served on the board of Arctic Co-operatives Limited and the Nunavut Trust. He was a member of the first fully-elected Council of the Northwest Territories in 1975 (which was referred to as the legislative assembly after 1976) and served on the Nunavut Implementation Commission.

Both Curley and Lyallare members of the Order of Canada.

Curleysaid becoming a member of the Order of Nunavutis "a real honour, specifically because it comes from the people of Nunavut. So it has a lot more significance to me than all the other awards. This one is very special."

Lyall agreed.

"I've received a few of these things in the past; everyone of them means to me that my peers are watching and everyone knows what you are doing," Lyall said.

"At the end of the day, hopefully that means that you did something for other human beings beside you. I really appreciate this one from the people of Nunavut."

Originally from France, Lechat is a Catholic priest with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate who spent more than 50 years in parishes across the North, including 25 years in Igloolik and Hall Beach.

He said his parents "thought I was nuts going so far."

"I have very fond memories with the Inuit and I was always happy with them. They're always trying to help. Even when it's not going so well, they have a good spirit and are never discouraged. We can learn a good lesson from them."

Previous Order of Nunavut inductees:

• Reverend Michael Gardener
• Mark Kalluak
• Jose Amaujaq Kusugak
• Kenojuak Ashevak
• Charlie Panigoniak
• Jimmy Akavak
• Louis Angalik Sr.
• Davidee Arnakak
• John Amagoalik