Governor General’s official visit to Nunavut, April 17 to 21, 2006

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond, celebrate Her Majesty’s 80th birthday in Cape Dorset, Nunavut, by sharing a cake with 300 students of Pitseolak School and Sam Pudlut Elementary School. For this occasion, the Governor General offered a gift of 80 books to the Iqaluit Centennial Library and 30 books to the Cape Dorset community. The Governor General was in Nunuavut on an official visit from April 17 to 21, 2006.

The Governor General said of Her Majesty “Just prior to my installation as Governor General last fall, my family and I had the distinct privilege of meeting Her Majesty at her ancestral home in Balmoral, Scotland. Like many Canadians, I was impressed by her kindness and thoughtfulness. I greatly appreciated her dedication in promoting a world view of nations working together, responsibly, for the benefit of all humanity. I was also delighted by her sensitivity and insightful view of the realities facing today’s youth.”

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

On Thursday April 20, Their Excellencies met with a number of Cape Dorset artists and see them at work during a visit to West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and Printmaking Studio. Their Excellencies visited the homes of Pauta Saila, carver, Mr. Kiawak Ashoona, O.C., carver, Ms. Kenojuak Ashevak, C.C., printmaker, and Toonoo Sharky, a young carver.

On Thursday April 20, Their Excellencies met with a number of Cape Dorset artists and see them at work during a visit to West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and Printmaking Studio. Their Excellencies visited the homes of Pauta Saila, carver, Mr. Kiawak Ashoona, O.C., carver, Ms. Kenojuak Ashevak, C.C., printmaker, and Toonoo Sharky, a young carver.

On Thursday April 20, Their Excellencies met with a number of Cape Dorset artists and see them at work during a visit to West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative and Printmaking Studio. Their Excellencies visited the homes of Pauta Saila, carver, Mr. Kiawak Ashoona, O.C., carver, Ms. Kenojuak Ashevak, C.C., printmaker, and Toonoo Sharky, a young carver.

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".

Iqaluit - On Wednesday April 19, Her Excellency met with students of the Nunavut Arctic College's Fine Arts and Crafts Department. The Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) offers a wide range of top-quality courses and programs that are based on the traditional values of Nunavut's people and are designed to help students pursue lifelong learning and personal development in an increasingly modern society. The NAC specifically offers a jewelry and medal work program. It is Nunavut's own college and has been the premier provider of post-secondary education and training programs for the people of Nunavut for more than 20 years.

Before leaving for Cape Dorset, Their Excellencies engaged elders in an informal discussion at the Elders Centre.

Iqaluit - On Wednesday April 19, Her Excellency met with students of the Nunavut Arctic College's Fine Arts and Crafts Department. The Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) offers a wide range of top-quality courses and programs that are based on the traditional values of Nunavut's people and are designed to help students pursue lifelong learning and personal development in an increasingly modern society. The NAC specifically offers a jewelry and medal work program. It is Nunavut's own college and has been the premier provider of post-secondary education and training programs for the people of Nunavut for more than 20 years.

Before leaving for Cape Dorset, Their Excellencies engaged elders in an informal discussion at the Elders Centre.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond travelled to Iqaluit and Cape Dorset on their first official visit to Nunavut from April 17 to 21, 2006. During this visit to Nunavut, the Governor General took part in a series of activities that focussed on women's issues, culture, and youth.

Throughout the visit, the Governor General expressed her concern about violence against women and suicide among Inuit youth. She spoke of the importance and the collective responsibility of promoting the utmost respect for the dignity of women, their right to security and to rekindle hope in young people.

Iqaluit - On Monday, April 17, Their Excellencies arrived at the Iqaluit airport where they were greeted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour. In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Toonik Tyme Festival as the Honorary Toonik.

In her speech, the Governor General said "Indeed, there is so much for you to teach us. You have stood the test of time because of your natural ingenuity and long-practised traditions. You know every inch of these infinite lands and icy waters which have ensured your survival. They provide you with an abundance of food. In return, you have pledged your deepest respect and have ensured that they will be renewed, not exhausted."

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond travelled to Iqaluit and Cape Dorset on their first official visit to Nunavut from April 17 to 21, 2006. During this visit to Nunavut, the Governor General took part in a series of activities that focussed on women's issues, culture, and youth.

Throughout the visit, the Governor General expressed her concern about violence against women and suicide among Inuit youth. She spoke of the importance and the collective responsibility of promoting the utmost respect for the dignity of women, their right to security and to rekindle hope in young people.

Iqaluit - On Monday, April 17, Their Excellencies arrived at the Iqaluit airport where they were greeted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour. In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Toonik Tyme Festival as the Honorary Toonik.

In her speech, the Governor General said "Indeed, there is so much for you to teach us. You have stood the test of time because of your natural ingenuity and long-practised traditions. You know every inch of these infinite lands and icy waters which have ensured your survival. They provide you with an abundance of food. In return, you have pledged your deepest respect and have ensured that they will be renewed, not exhausted."

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond travelled to Iqaluit and Cape Dorset on their first official visit to Nunavut from April 17 to 21, 2006. During this visit to Nunavut, the Governor General took part in a series of activities that focussed on women's issues, culture, and youth.

Throughout the visit, the Governor General expressed her concern about violence against women and suicide among Inuit youth. She spoke of the importance and the collective responsibility of promoting the utmost respect for the dignity of women, their right to security and to rekindle hope in young people.

Iqaluit - On Monday, April 17, Their Excellencies arrived at the Iqaluit airport where they were greeted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour. In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Toonik Tyme Festival as the Honorary Toonik.

In her speech, the Governor General said "Indeed, there is so much for you to teach us. You have stood the test of time because of your natural ingenuity and long-practised traditions. You know every inch of these infinite lands and icy waters which have ensured your survival. They provide you with an abundance of food. In return, you have pledged your deepest respect and have ensured that they will be renewed, not exhausted."

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond travelled to Iqaluit and Cape Dorset on their first official visit to Nunavut from April 17 to 21, 2006. During this visit to Nunavut, the Governor General took part in a series of activities that focussed on women's issues, culture, and youth.

Throughout the visit, the Governor General expressed her concern about violence against women and suicide among Inuit youth. She spoke of the importance and the collective responsibility of promoting the utmost respect for the dignity of women, their right to security and to rekindle hope in young people.

Iqaluit - On Monday, April 17, Their Excellencies arrived at the Iqaluit airport where they were greeted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour. In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Toonik Tyme Festival as the Honorary Toonik.

In her speech, the Governor General said "Indeed, there is so much for you to teach us. You have stood the test of time because of your natural ingenuity and long-practised traditions. You know every inch of these infinite lands and icy waters which have ensured your survival. They provide you with an abundance of food. In return, you have pledged your deepest respect and have ensured that they will be renewed, not exhausted."

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Mr. Jean-Daniel Lafond travelled to Iqaluit and Cape Dorset on their first official visit to Nunavut from April 17 to 21, 2006. During this visit to Nunavut, the Governor General took part in a series of activities that focussed on women's issues, culture, and youth.

Throughout the visit, the Governor General expressed her concern about violence against women and suicide among Inuit youth. She spoke of the importance and the collective responsibility of promoting the utmost respect for the dignity of women, their right to security and to rekindle hope in young people.

Iqaluit - On Monday, April 17, Their Excellencies arrived at the Iqaluit airport where they were greeted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour. In the evening, the Governor General attended the Opening Ceremonies of the Toonik Tyme Festival as the Honorary Toonik.

In her speech, the Governor General said "Indeed, there is so much for you to teach us. You have stood the test of time because of your natural ingenuity and long-practised traditions. You know every inch of these infinite lands and icy waters which have ensured your survival. They provide you with an abundance of food. In return, you have pledged your deepest respect and have ensured that they will be renewed, not exhausted."

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.  

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.  

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.  

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.  

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Iqaluit - On Tuesday, April 18, Their Excellencies met and discussed with Iqaluit residents involved in social issues at an arctic luncheon hosted by the Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson, Commissioner of Nunavut. Volunteers, social workers, staff from the Qimaavik women's shelter, Pauktuutit and Qullit Status of Women representatives, and elders spoke about the current challenges facing their organizations, and stressed the importance of continuing to strengthen the spirit of cooperation that exists between them.  

Later on, Their Excellencies visited the Legislative Assembly where they met privately with the Honourable Paul Okalik, Premier of Nunavut, and attended the swearing-in ceremony for the new Deputy Commissioner Helen Maksagak. Their Excellencies then made their way to the Unikkaarvik Visitor Centre where they toured the facility in the company of manager Angela Payne.

Iqaluit - On Wednesday April 19, Her Excellency met with students of the Nunavut Arctic College's Fine Arts and Crafts Department. The Nunavut Arctic College (NAC) offers a wide range of top-quality courses and programs that are based on the traditional values of Nunavut's people and are designed to help students pursue lifelong learning and personal development in an increasingly modern society. The NAC specifically offers a jewelry and medal work program. It is Nunavut's own college and has been the premier provider of post-secondary education and training programs for the people of Nunavut for more than 20 years.

Before leaving for Cape Dorset, Their Excellencies engaged elders in an informal discussion at the Elders Centre.

Their Excellencies traveled to Cape Dorset on Wednesday, April 19. They were greeted by His Worship Fred Schell, Mayor of Cape Dorset, and Joe Taukie, Deputy Mayor. The Governor General inspected a Canadian Rangers guard of honour and met with residents at the airport.

The Governor General attended a Community feast at Peter Pitseolak School.

"Since the creation of the West Baffin Eskimo Co-operative in 1959, your unique works of art have brought Cape Dorset to the world stage and have enabled it to claim its rightful place. Your community can be proud that it is one of the few places in the world where the economy is based primarily on art. Today, your artwork is sold in specialized galleries in New York, San Francisco, Tokyo, and many other cities around the world. It is also found in some of the world's greatest museums."

Cape Dorset is located on Dorset Island, off the coast of the Foxe Peninsula in the southwest corner of Baffin Island. It is in Cape Dorset that one can find the remains of an ancient Inuit people, who flourished between 1000 B.C. and 1100 A.D., the Dorset culture. The Inuit at Cape Dorset are direct descendants of the Thule. The Inuktitut name for Cape Dorset is Kingait, which means "this mountain".