Iqaluit-based artist Barbara Akoak, right, stands beside three oxidized copper pendants with her child Percy Akoak, on June 11. The pendants, which Akoak made, are featured in the Qillaniq exhibition of circumpolar art at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. Titled Ancestral Love; Angunatsiuviit?, or “Are you a hunter?”; and F*ck who you want, It’s your body, the works reflect themes of consent, bodily autonomy and Inuit culture. “To be among so much talent — people for whom this is also their full-time job, or what they’re naturally gifted at — I was so emotional and so proud,” Akoak said. (Photo courtesy of Barbara Akoak)
Two women wheel a suitcase through snow and gravel in 0 C temperatures on their way to the airport in Qikiqtarjuaq to catch an afternoon flight Monday. The airport is roughly a kilometre away from the hamlet’s core area. Like most smaller Nunavut communities, Qikiqtarjuaq does not have a taxi service. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Qikiqtarjuaq Arctic Co-op employees Lasaloosie and Monica Kukseak are among the last people voters in Monday’s Nunavut territorial election at Qikiqtarjuaq’s sole polling station. Voters went to the community hall before it shut down for the day at 7 p.m. In the riding of Uqqummiut the choice is between incumbent Mary Killiktee and challenger Gordon Kautuk. There is no specific issue that’s important to Kukseaks, but they feel like all citizens “must” vote in every election, Monica Kukseak says. (Photo by Arty Sarkisian)
Acting chief public health officer Dr. Ekua Agyemang receives a FluMist nasal vaccine from nurse Mark Bursey at Iqaluit public health Friday afternoon. The spray vaccine is a new option for Nunavummiut this season. The Department of Health is encouraging residents to get vaccinated for the flu and COVID-19 at their local health centre. “It’s important that everyone make the effort to get immunized and bring along their family as well,” Agyemang said. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)