July 9 was a special day in the North as we celebrated Nunavut Day with fun, food and an extra boost for local food security.
For Nunavut Day, Canadian North partnered with Ottawa’s Suzy Q Doughnuts to fly in more than 2,000 special themed doughnuts to give away to the Iqaluit community. Suzy Q also sold this special doughnut in Ottawa stores, donating the proceeds, a total of $1,271.60, to the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre. Canadian North added to the donation, providing a total combined donations of $4,271.60 in support of the Centre.
Inspired by the North, the “Deep Blue” doughnut featured a blueberry swirl, “sand” made from pie crust, and tiny chocolate fish. You might remember Suzy Q from 2024, when they flew a whole kitchen and crew to Iqaluit for the 25th anniversary of Nunavut Day.
Canadian North formalized our support for Qajuqturvik’s work and their commitment to community earlier this year. The Centre uses the power of food, tradition and community to strengthen health, belonging and food sovereignty in Iqaluit. Its chefs shared locally caught and prepared pitsiq (dried arctic char) with the community for Nunavut Day.
While many of the celebrations occurred in Iqaluit, we wanted to ensure that those who were away from home on Medical Travel were able to partake in the festivities. Canadian North was pleased to provide the team at Larga Baffin Ottawa with a certificate for travel between any Baffin community and Ottawa to be used as a prize.
But Nunavut Day is about more than just food and prizes – marks the creation of Nunavut as Canada’s youngest territory in 1999, when it was separated from the Northwest Territories. The territory is a homeland for Inuit, with an elected government to protect and promote Inuit ways of life, language, and heritage.
The day holds deep meaning for those who call the territory home — whether born here or having built a life here. This is a day for residents to celebrate and preserve the unique culture that Nunavut brings to Canada. For many, it’s about belonging: to the land, to a community, and to a way of life rooted in tradition.
Nunavut Day is an opportunity to appreciate the rich culture, traditions and contributions of Inuit and to foster a greater understanding and respect for all Indigenous communities.
Happy Nunavut Day!