“Writing in syllabics again, amazing!” said Premier P.J. Akeeagok, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the guest book at Nunavut’s legislature on Jan. 19, the morning after a historic devolution agreement was finalized in Iqaluit.
Accompanied by his youngest son, Hadrian, who also signed the book in Inuktitut at his father’s instruction, the prime minister and premier once again confirmed their commitment to the new Nunavut resource management agreement.
Speaking to Trudeau, Akeeagok said, “I was very honoured that you could be here with us to celebrate really what the vision of Nunavut and Namminiqsurniq has been for many, many years. To get to that finish line, I think we know there’s important work ahead of us, but to be sharing that stage with the many Elders… and the incredible youth that were [performing], shows the importance of Namminiqsurniq. So I would like to welcome you, and thank you for that leadership to get that devolution agreement done.”
“It’s amazing to be back here,” Trudeau replied. “Reflecting on what my dad [said] when he brought me up here 50 years ago — and in the past 10 years to have seen the tremendous transformation, the changes, the strengthening of Nunavut in so many different ways — yesterday’s announcement was another huge step forward. There’s a lot of work together over the next three years to make it a reality, but the partnership we have is extremely strong. While we do that, we’re also going to be taking care of other [issues], whether its continuing our great work on housing, or… talking about sovereignty in the protection of the Arctic, or whether its moving forward with things like childcare, where Nunavut has already gotten $10/day [federal childcare program] well ahead of schedule. It’s the kind of partnership and strength that we have as [leaders], particularly working with NTI [Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated] as full partners.”
Akeeagok then took Trudeau and his son for a private tour of the legislative assembly chamber, where Hadrian sat in the speaker’s seat while his father proudly looked on.