The work of an artist from Iqaluit will be enjoyed by Nunavut residents over the next year, as they use this year’s recently-issued Northwestel directory for Nunavut.

 

The artwork selected for the 2010-2011 directory is Tidal Flats at Pangnirtung Fiord, by Meeka Kilabuk. The watercolour painting portrays a familiar scene in her home community, when large pieces of ice are left on the rocks as the tide goes out.

 

Meeka was born and raised in Pangnirtung but now lives in Iqaluit. She has worked with many Inuit political organizations, was involved in the formation of the territory of Nunavut, and has travelled around Canada and internationally to represent the territory.  

 

Meeka was delighted to find that her painting had been selected for this year’s Northwestel directory cover. “I didn’t expect it at all and I am thrilled and surprised,” she said. “It’s awesome to see my work, depicting the magnificent fiord of Pangnirtung and my beautiful home town, on the Northwestel directory cover. My heart is filled with gratitude and gladness.”

 

In 2009, Meeka Kilabuk received a Diploma in Fur Production and Design from Nunavut Arctic College in Iqaluit. She also won the Grand Prize in the 2008 fur design student competition held by the Fur Council of Canada for her women’s coat. In the 2009 competition, she won second place for her men’s jacket, which was then entered into an international design competition held earlier this year in Milan, Italy, where it became one of the eight finalists in the competition. She has also worked in other art forms such as beading, writing and film-making.

 

Meeka Kilabuk is a founding director of the Inuit Tapirisat of Canada, was involved in the creation of the Inuit Circumpolar Council, and was the first Inuit special assistant to federal Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development John Munro. Later, as a commissioner of the Nunavut Implementation Commission, she headed up the Symbols Committee and did work that resulted in the creation of the Nunavut flag and coat-of-arms.

 

 

“My inspiration comes from interpreting Inuit knowledge, style, traditions and many other aspects of being Inuk for those of different languages and cultures,” said Meeka. “It is important for Inuit ways to be portrayed as closely as possible to their true identity.”

 

“We are delighted to feature the work of Meeka Kilabuk on our Nunavut cover this year,” said Anne Kennedy, Northwestel Director Communications. “We had a wonderful array of artwork submitted to our annual directory artwork competition and it was a delight to have so much to choose from. The community of Pangnirtung is a strikingly beautiful place and we know that northerners are already enjoying having this work in their homes and offices.”

 

Each year, Northwestel invites artists from all across the North to submit their work to be considered for use on the covers of its three directories in the NWT, Nunavut and Northern British Columbia/Yukon. The company is already inviting artists to make submissions to its competition for the 2011-2012 directory covers. The deadline for entries is September 17^th of this year. For more information, go to www.nwtel.ca, and then click on In The Community and Directory Cover Art.

 

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.