Monument to the Nunavut Land Claims.

I have been coming to Nunavut on and off now for 3 years. Carvings of small objects are readily available throughout the Territory. In most towns people will every come up to you on the road and ask if you wish to purchase an item they recently made. Good luck having diner in an Iqaluit restaurant without being asked half a dozen times to purchase a carving, earrings or some other hand made craft.

 Iqaluit has 3 places you can purchase such art. Some which are quite beautiful in fact. Personally, I find most of the art in these stores pricey, perhaps with the exception of the “Nunatta Sunakkutaangit Museum”. 867-979-5537. Just recently, a buddy just bought a nice carving for his girlfriend there at a reasonable price. Another Coworker has purchased quite a few large pieces over his 3 year tour. (Can’t say I know where he purchased them) I have only purchased a few little ones. To each his own. 

Iqaluit has always been a place for large art carvings. These can be found all over town. Outside the Legislature building, in back of the Arts and Crafts  school and in front of the post office there are lots of such things, some of which are very impressive.

In the last year they started renovating the area in front of the Royal bank at  the “four corners” in Iqaluit. The ultimate reason for this was to house a monument to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, unveiled on Nunavut Day, July 9 2013, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the land claims agreement that gave birth to the territory.

I was stunned when I can back and drove past it for the first time. Surely I couldn’t be carved from stone?

So on my first weekend back, I wondered over with my camera. I could only help but stand in awe of this monument. It was made by three carvers: Paul Malliki of Repulse Bay, Looty Pijamini of Grise Fiord and Inuk Charlie of Taloyoak

 To read the full story about the statue and the 20th anniversary of the land claims agreement that gave birth to the territory go to:

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/65674nunavut_leaders_reflect_on_20_years_of_political_change/

P.J. Akeagok, with NTI president Cathie Towtongie, helps wrap up a cover that had concealed a monument to the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement that NTI unveiled at around 1:10 p.m. July 9. It was made by three carvers: Paul Malliki of Repulse Bay, Looty Pijamini of Grise Fiord and Inuk Charlie of Taloyoak. (PHOTO BY JIM BELL)