1. Baker Lake Shoreline 2. Muskox 3. Gerald & Lucy Kownak

This visit was expressly for the unveiling of the 15 elder portraits scheduled Friday, July 9th, Nunavut Day. I did, however, have a short list of elders for photographs and interviews.

July 7/Wed.
Early that morning at the Wpg. airport I met Christine Aylward, her daughter, Theresa, and Harry Aupaluktuq, all heading to Baker Lake. They had been stuck in Wpg for a week due to bad weather. I would be staying with all of them in Christine's house.
In Rankin Inket I picked up the magazine,‘Above & Beyond’ at the First Air counter and found my drawing of Bessie Scottie accompanying the interview by David Pelly.
Although everyone was concerned we would not depart Rankin because of the weather, we did and landed 45 minutes later in Baker Lake.
Discovered my two art crates had been picked up and the portraits were being put on the arena wall. Jimmy and I hurried over and packed them back in the crates.
Early evening I took a walk in the drizzling rain. I hoped the weather would improve at the week progressed.
Later, Karen Yip, Jimmy Nugyougalik and Janae arrived at the house. Christine and Karen made a great supper after which Jimmy and I delivered flyers to families involved in the Portrait Unveiling on Friday.

July 8/Thurs.
I was fortunate during my morning walk to the Northern Store to encounter little Emily Alerk. I was able to photograph her just as the sun began to appear.
Dropped in to visit Joan Killulark. We discussed family lineage and she showed me several books I hoped to purchase in the future.
Back at the Northern Store I gave a flyer outlining the Portrait Unveiling to Paul Atutuvaa and Simon Tookoome.
Jimmy and I dropped off the remaining flyers then paid a visit to the Hamlet office. I wished to personally invite the Mayor to the Reception. He was at the mine site, however.
I slipped in to the Jessie Oonark Ltd. building that afternoon for a bowl of caribou/muskox soup; fatty but good.
I was thrilled to photograph Lucy Kownak outside the Northern Store. I had the assistance of her son, William Scottie. I made an appointment for an interview later.
I borrowed Christine's ATV and cruised the community before supper.
That evening Christine drove me to the home of M.L.A., Moses Aupaluktuq. Had an enjoyable evening with him and his girlfriend, Laury, a social worker.

4. Musical Pole 5. Three Can Bowling 6. Caribou Bone Spearing 7. Juggling

July 9/Fri.
That morning I photographed some of the elder Inuit games in the community hall. I think most of the elders in Baker were present.
Back at home Christine was very busily preparing the food platters for the Reception. Karen arrived and soon all of us were assisting.
At 2:00pm we began setting up at the community hall nursery room. There was a lot to do. I retrieved the portraits from the crates and set them up for the unveiling.
Just after 3:00pm we began letting the elders and families in. Both the mayor, David Aksawnee, and MLA, Moses Aupaluktuq, arrived and spoke during the proceedings.
Karen Yip did a fine job MC’ing the event and we convinced Nellie to translate.
The copious amount of food was very well received by everyone.
I handed Jimmy my Nikon and we photographed the elders with their portraits.
When it was all over, Jimmy, Karen and I delivered 5 of the portraits that for various reasons could not be taken home by the elders.
The Unveiling & Reception had gone extremely well. I was tired as the adrenaline began to wear off.
Late evening found me walking the shoreline under a magnificent pastel sunset.

Elders Receiving Portrait 8. Barnabus Arnasungaaq 9. Toona Iqulik 10. Simon Tookoomee (Photos by Jimmy Nugyougalik)

July 10/Sat.
Took the ATV down to the Northern Store and received instructions to the home of Janet Ikuutaq. After communicating my intentions she came outside for photographs.
While driving along main street east of town, I noticed a large seal skin drying on a rack. I introduced myself to Steven Neigo. He said it was a Ranger Seal shot by his son, Paul, in June. His wife will make kamiks and mitts with the skin.
Late afternoon I was out fishing with Jimmy, Karen, Janae, Elizabeth Paungrat and Paul (Jimmy's brother). We put the boat in at ‘Inuksuk Point’ then headed across to Long Island. Elizabeth jumped out in her hip waders and fished along the shore. Using her, 'Hanna Montana,' rod, Janae reeled in the largest trout of the outing. After that everone wanted to use it and it continued to catch fish all night.
At ‘The Point’ I caught a trout, a rare occurrence for me. Jimmy took us farther east and we spotted a muskox high on the ridge line. I was excited as this was my first sighting of this animal.
We fished a bit longer and by the time we headed back our catch was 14 trout. Great night on the water!

July 11/Sun.
The day began with a cold wind under a sky mixed with sun and cloud.
Took the ATV for a spin around town. After directions to home of William Scottie I drove over. We agreed to meet Monday morning to interview his mother.
The wind died down and the sky cleared up so I walked the town. On my way back, a woman stopped in front of me on her ATV and introduced herself as Joan Scottie. Her mother is Lucy Kownak. I told her I planned to interview Lucy and draw her in the future.

July 12/Mon.
That morning I put up the 15 portraits on the wall of the Community Hall. I stood back to look at my 27 portraits that now hang.
I followed William Scottie by ATV to the home of his mother, Lucy Kownak. I spent a very enjoyable 1 1/2 hours hearing about her fascinating life. A remarkable woman!
At noon Karen helped me purchase a carving at the Jessie Oonark Ltd. for a friend in Winnipeg. Then I bought a snow knife with a bone handle for myself.
Christine, Harry, Janae and I headed to the airport. Christine’s mother was arriving from NFLD.
I departed that afternoon for Rankin Inlet. In the terminal I learned Arsene Paniuq’s family was celebrating his 90th birthday with him at the arena. I hurried down the hill to see him. I briefly met some of his family and sampled some dried caribou stomach before Bert Dean gave me a ride back to the airport. I had to resume my return flight to Winnipeg.
My List of Thank Yous!
Thank you to Christine for providing lodgings and for the magnificent job preparing food for the Reception.
Thanks to Karen, Jimmy and Janae for helping make the Portrait Unveiling the huge success it was!
Thanks so much to Calm Air/Karen for sponsoring the Reception.
Thank you to the Hamlet of Baker Lake for purchasing my work. You have by far the largest collection of my portraits of any community.
Thanks again to the elders and family members who make my travels as wonderfully exciting as they are.

11. Rare Photo: Gerald with Trout! 12. Janae with her big catch! 13. Elizabeth Paungrat