Nunavut Arctic College

Kalluak joins Reverend Mike Gardener and the late Jose Kusugak as Nunavut’s first Members of the Order of Nunavut.

A former mayor, business owner, author and Member of the Order of Canada, Mark Kalluak worked in education since the first instructional programs were established in the North. He served as a teacher, translator, classroom assistant and adult educator. Before he passed away last year, he worked as a Cultural Heritage Coordinator for the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Education, working to ensure Inuit traditional knowledge into the territory’s new Kindergarten to Grade 12 curriculum.

The early evening ceremony began with an opening prayer from close family friend Rhoda Karetak and a written statement from the Hon. Daniel Shewchuk, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut for Arviat.

“Mark Kalluak was always, and will be, remembered by not only the community of Arviat, but the whole territory of Nunavut as being a very knowledgeable man who has contributed much to the creation of this wonderful territory of Nunavut,” wrote Shewchuk. “He always contributed to his community in many ways; whether it was providing through his hunting and activities, or talking to young people to encourage them about the importance of language, education and culture, or belonging to various community boards and providing input and services in developing a better community. He was always here to do that.”

Master of Ceremonies, The Hon. Hunter Tootoo, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Nunavut told the audience the Order of Nunavut is the territory’s highest honour. “The objective of the Order of Nunavut is to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cultural, social or economic well-being of our territory,” he said.

The Order was presented to Mark’s family by the Honourable Edna Elias, Commissioner of Nunavut.

“As Commissioner of Nunavut, and Chancellor of the Order of Nunavut, it is my honour to preside over the investiture of the late Mark Kalluak as a Member of the Order of Nunavut,” she said. “Today is not only a very historic occasion for our territory, it’s also an evening of great joy and celebration as we gather together to honour one of our own.”

Commissioner Elias acknowledged Mark’s commitment to his family. “All of us here today know that Mark was truly a devoted family man,” she said. “Mark worked very hard in advocating for Inuit language and Inuktitut literacy, and for our rich cultural heritage. He dedicated his life for all Nunavutmiut with humility and compassion for what he did.”

In explaining the Order of Nunavut, the Commissioner told the audience that in accordance with the law, a person who is invested in the Order of Nunavut becomes a member of the Order for life. Members are also entitled to use the initials O.Nu after his or her name, which signifies that they are a member of the Order.

Members of the Order of Nunavut also receive a medal, which the Commissioner presented to the family. It was accepted on their behalf by Mark’s daughter Jessie. She thanked the Commissioner and audience for recognizing their father. She spoke fondly of how he was always working and writing, at home and at the office, and how he translated the New Testament of the Bible, first on his typewriter and later using computers.

The investiture ceremony was followed by a wonderful feast prepared by the Hamlet of Arviat Recreation Department featuring caribou, muktaaq and bannock and a square dance.

Thank you to Commissioner Elias, Speaker Tootoo, the Hamlet of Arviat and all the friends and family who came out to make Mark’s appointment to the Order of Nunavut such a memorable experience.