QIA & Cadets

Source: qia.ca

The cadets of 3045 Army were quite active during the second week of January.  They participated in the QIA swearing-in ceremony at the community hall and organized a dance to raise money for the upcoming European trip in May (more on this later).

            

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) recently elected PJ Akeeagok as its new president and chose Arctic Bay as the town to hold his swearing-in ceremony.  A community feast would immediately follow the ceremony.  The corps would supply volunteers to assist in the set up and distribution of the country food.

            

PJ arrived in Arctic Bay on the evening of January 14th.  Even though his flight had been delayed by several hours, he still visited 3045 and inspected the cadets on parade.  He arrived on the same day the corps holds its weekly training nights.

            

After inspecting the cadets on parade, PJ stood alongside the commanding officer, Lt. May, and observed the March Past.  He was given a few minutes to address the cadets on their dress, drill, & deportment, and thank them for volunteering for the QIA community feast.  PJ was then presented with a corps hoodie which he wore for the group picture.

            

Levi, QIA Liaison Officer for Arctic Bay.

The Swearing-in Ceremony & Community Feast occurred on the evening of January 15th at the local community hall.  Just several hours prior, he had spoken to the high school students of Inuujaq School about the QIA and its role in the Mary River Project.  The front of the hall was set up with a projector and screen, as well as tables with QIA pamphlets and information booklets.  The hall quickly filled up with people. 

            

The ceremony began at 7pm.  PJ & the visiting QIA members were introduced by Levi Barnabas, the local QIA liaison officer.  PJ was wearing a sealskin vest & tie over a collared shirt and sealskin kamiks (boots).  Levi & PJ spoke about the QIA and its future plans while pictures of the organization's activities appeared behind them on the projector screen.            

            

PJ Akeeagok recites the Presidential Oath of the QIA.

When the big moment came, a table covered in blue cloth & animal skin was set up in front of the audience.  An RCMP officer placed the presidential oath document and a bible on the table.  Two senior cadets from 3045, dressed in their green uniforms, took their positions on both sides of the table.  In the presence of the RCMP, QIA representatives, and the people of Arctic Bay, PJ Akeeagok placed his hand on the bible and read the presidential oath in English.  PJ received an extended applause from everyone after signing the oath.  The RCMP officer also signed the document as a witness.  A group photo was then taken of PJ, his wife, QIA representatives, and the two senior cadets.

            

PJ Akeeagok, now President of QIA, receives a congratulatory hug from his wife.

Flanked by his two cadet "bodyguards", PJ took a few minutes to address the audience (in Inuktitut) about what he intended to do as president of the QIA.  He kept it short & to the point because he already spent plenty of time promoting his platform during the election campaign. 

            

Cadets of 3045 set up tables for the community feast.

A short break was taken to let the cadets set up a row of tables and bring out the country food that was sitting in large cardboard boxes on stage.  A large white tarp was laid out in the middle of the hall to let people use it to cut up country food.  Two seals were placed on the white tarp for elders.  This community feast had quite an extensive menu: caribou stew, seal, arctic char, aged walrus (iguunaq), bread, tea, and coffee.  When the cadet volunteers were ready to serve, the word was given for the feast to begin.  I stood on a bench at the back and photographed the rush to the front of the hall.  Two long lines quickly formed.  The cadets handed out pieces of country food while wearing blue latex gloves.

            

I got into one of the long lines after taking several pictures.  While the line slowly inched forward, several Inuit elders opened up the two seals that were laying on the white tarp and began cutting off pieces.  The blood and insides of the animals did not phase anyone.  I was given a paper plate by a cadet when I walked up to the tables.  I requested raw arctic char and aged walrus.  I had tried walrus before but not when it was aged.  I was curious to see if there were any differences.

            

Aged walrus (igunaaq)

I sat down on a bench and began eating pieces of raw arctic char.  As always, it was delicious.  My body doesn't have a problem digesting raw fish; I eat sushi after all!  But then came the real challenge: aged walrus (igunaaq).  After getting past the distinct smell of the raw meat (that some may consider foul), I cut off a small piece from the chunk of meat and ate it.  The taste was alright but the sudden rush of energy was a surprise.  I ate a few more pieces before saving the rest for another time.

            

"If you had finished that entire igunaaq," a passing Inuk commented, "you would have been good for the next month."

            

"Definitely," I agreed.  Now I think I know why some Inuit stay up all night: they're eating igunaaq!    

             

People line up to buy things from the canteen at the Friday dance.

On Friday, January 16th, 3045 Army cadet corps held an evening dance at the community hall to raise money for the upcoming European trip.  As I mentioned in October of last year, the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 168, Iqaluit) and the Order of St. George are organizing a 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe trip through Educational Tours.  The trip is happening in May and will cater to selected cadets from northern corps across the territories.  At the moment, four cadets from 3045 are going on the trip, but we're trying to raise enough money to add two more cadets.

            

Jello

The dance began at 9pm with admission costing $3 per person.  The first half of the dance was for kids aged 13 & under.  A canteen had been set up in the kitchen and sold a variety of sweets.  People could buy pop, cupcakes, freezies, popcorn, chips, jello, and other junk food.  The music was mostly mainstream: pop music, hip hop, with a bit of electronic.  My favourite part was when all the kids covered their ears and ran off the dance floor when a Justin Bieber song was played. 

            

Near the end of the first half, the music was cut and the lights were turned on.  A relay race had been planned for the 13 & under kids.  They were divided into four teams and instructed to line up in the centre of the hall.  The race was quite simple.  The objective was to fill a plastic cup with water at one end of the hall.  The challenge was that you had to get the water from the other side of the hall and transport it back using a spoon.  The game was basically a variation of the egg-and-spoon race but the eggs were replaced with water.  Any water droplets that fall to the floor would be mopped up by the cadets.  The race was quick, careful, and energetic at the same time.  Slowly, the four cups filled with water.  The winning group was Team 4.  Their prize were rice-krispee squares.

            

The second half of the dance began at 11pm and it was for people 14 & over.  The choice of music changed slightly but mostly remained mainstream.  I didn't stay much longer because I was starting to fall asleep.  The following day I learned that the dance raised quite a bit of money.  I'm sure the four chosen cadets were pleased by the news.