Today, Mr. Speaker, I would like to talk about three of our extremely talented brothers who brought great pride to our home community of Tuktoyaktuk and all of the N.W.T.: Bill, Eli and Joe Nasogaluak.
Bill Nasogaluak is a world-renowned, self-taught sculptor and painter. His work is based primarily on interpretations of what he knows best of his Inuvialuit culture.
Mr. Speaker, the myths and traditions of the Inuvialuit people, their relationship between the land, wildlife and our cultural heritage provide Bill an endless source of inspiration. Bill’s professional focus is mainly carving and painting, where he can be found working on large stone carvings outdoors and many murals in the North. We’re familiar with ice and snow sculptures. Bill has studied throughout his life. He is considered to be well-educated in the arts and techniques. Although Bill has never received a formal education in art, Mr. Speaker, he is well respected by all the art community. Bill currently resides in Toronto, Ontario.
Like Bill, Mr. Speaker, Eli finds a great source of inspiration for his works from his culture but also more from the contemporary situations such as modern-day life and everyday living. Eli was born in Tuktoyaktuk, attended school in Akalvik, Tuk and Inuvik and in Fort Smith. Eli is a member of many art boards and has attended many exhibitions in Canada and overseas. Eli has won numerous awards for his artwork in Canada and overseas and has been a regular at the Caribou Carnival ice sculpting contest here in Yellowknife over the years. Eli’s amazing work can be found worldwide. He currently resides as a full-time artist here in Yellowknife.
Along with Bill and Eli, Joe Nasogaluak is considered….
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
Unanimous consent granted.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, colleagues.
Joe Nasogaluak is considered to be one of the top carvers in the North. Although Joe’s the youngest of the three brothers, he’s been a professional artist the longest, starting his career in 1987 and quickly making a name for himself with mythical carvings. Since then, Mr. Speaker, Joe’s works have been sought after by collectors and distributors worldwide.
Of all of his achievements, his most favourite is when he worked with his brothers, Bill and Eli, on the seven and a half-tonne marble carving and when they participated in a family snow carving competition held annually in the Winterlude Carnival in Ottawa. Joe still resides in Tuktoyaktuk.
Mr. Speaker, Bill, Eli, and Joe Nasogaluak are truly inspirations in their own right to the people of Tuktoyaktuk and the Northwest Territories. The brothers have represented the N.W.T. at numerous Winterlude Carnivals, winning competitions in ’02 and ’07 and second-place finishes of the Winning Artists Choice Award selected by their peers.
Today, Mr. Speaker, I am very proud and honoured to recognize the tremendous achievements and many successes of the boys from Tuktoyaktuk: Bill, Eli, and Joe Nasogaluak.
Applause.
