ICC Nuuk, Greenland, part 8: Three of the many gifts and awards given - a mask to the Premier, an Edmunds to Mary Simon, a belated plaque to Jose Kusugak, who learned about his cancer too late
Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 9:57AM 
I did not suddenly return to Greenland. I am still here in Wasilla, but with a mountain of work left over from Greenland and now it is time to start posting it, so I will begin with a little award and gift-giving.
There were many gifts and awards given out at the 11th General Assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, held in Nuuk June 28 - July 2. Each of the many speakers received a gift and many honored and accomplished people who attended in non-speaking capacities did also, but, to keep it simple, I will limit this presentation to three.
First, this Iñupiaq mask was given by North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta, President of the Alaska Delegation, to Premier Kuupik Kleist of Greenland, left, in honor of his nation having served as host to this year's General Assembly.
Basking in the honor with him is Hans-Pavia Rosing of Greenland, right, who served as the first Chair of ICC and has been active in the organization throughout its entire history.
This is Ronald Brower Sr. of Barrow, the artist who made the mask.
The most prestigious honor handed out at each General Assembly is the Bill Edmunds Award, named for a man who grew up in Labrador, Canada, to become an Inuit activist. Edmunds was involved the founding of ICC in 1980 and remained active in the organization for the rest of his life.
Mary Simon, a past Chair of ICC, has also been a leader in ICC since its beginning. Here, outgoing Chair Jim Stotts presents her with a plaque that acknowledges her many accomplishments.
Stotts then gives her a scuplture as a gift.
Simons speaks to the General Assembly.
"We still have a lot of work ahead of us to work to improve the lives of our fellow Inuit. Our health and wellbeing should be our next major goal. We must do this in order to provide a better future for our children and youth," she told them, after acknowledging the honor. She said it came as a total surprise.
As do all gathered from each of the four nations, delegates from Greenland and Canada give Simon a standing ovation.
She waves back.
Jose Kusugak, the former President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, a national Candian Inuit organization, and the current President of the Kivalliq Inuit Association in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada, was the 2006 winner of the Edmund Award.
However, the plaque that he was to be given failed to arrive when the 10th General Assembly met in Barrow in that year, so he was awarded it this year, immediately after Simon received hers. It proved to be perhaps the most emotional moment of the entire General Assembly.
"I really did want to come here and somebody was trying to prevent me from coming here," Kusugak told the assembly, "A few months ago I was diagnosed with cancer and they operated, but they said it was a little too late." He said he wanted to come anyway and to tell the circumpolar people to please exercise their right to get their health checked up early and ofteb, especially if they suspected that something might be wrong.
Despite being told it is a little too late, Kusugak has not given up. He asked the people for their prayers. "I have grandchildren that I want to see grow up and I'm too young... I might have gray hair, but I'm too young."
As he speaks, his words follow on the large screen in the background.
Kusugak is 59.
As he leaves the podium, Kusugak receives an encouraging shake of the hand.
Translators inside Canada's translation booth stand in Kusugak's honor. Interpreter Martha Flaherty wipes away a tear.
Reader Comments (5)
here is hoping that Jose Kusugak will see his grandchildren grow up
>"Here, outgoing Chair Jim Stotts presents her with a plague that acknowledges her many accomplishments."
Oh, no! I hope it's not the bubonic plague, Bill! :-)
I know, I know ... you meant to type "plaque" didn't you?
Best wishes always, Albert
Thanks, Albert. I have corrected it. The heck of it is I knew I might knew that, so I double-checked my "plaques" to make certain they were correct - yet it got through, anyway. Someday, hopefully, I will be able to hire a good proof reader.
Thanks again -- just wanted to say I love the ability to see the photos again in slide shows!
May Mr Kusugak have his wish fufilled...
And thank you for taking us all along on this trip- waiting for all you have yet to share when you have time