Advisory Council Announces Appointment to the Order of Nunavut

IQALUIT, Nunavut (March 12, 2019) - Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and Chairperson of the Order of Nunavut Advisory Council Joe Enook today announced that Mr. Zacharias Kunuk, O.C. will be this year’s recipient of the Order of Nunavut.

On January 1, 2010, The Order of Nunavut Act came into force. The objective of the Order is to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the territory. The Order is the highest honour of Nunavut and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations or medals conferred by the Government of Nunavut.

Mr. Kunuk is a filmmaker and co-founder of Igloolik Isuma Productions whose 2001 film, Atanarjuat: the Fast Runner, was honoured with the Caméra d'Or at the 54th Cannes Film Festival. Mr. Kunuk is an Officer of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

“This year’s recipient of the Order of Nunavut is an internationally-renowned artist whose creative vision has brought Inuit culture and language to a global audience,” said Speaker Enook.

The investiture ceremony for Mr. Kunuk will be held during the spring 2019 sitting of the Legislative Assembly on a date to be announced. The ceremony will be held in the Chamber of the Legislative Assembly and televised live across the territory. Commissioner of Nunavut Nellie Kusugak will preside over the investiture ceremonies in her capacity as Chancellor of the Order of Nunavut.

-30-

For more information:
John Quirke, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly
and Secretary to the Order of Nunavut Advisory Council
(867) 975-5000