Pictured: Elders’ Lunch at Igloolik’s Northern Store

The Northern Store in Igloolik, NU had a chance to thank and connect with the community’s Elders, hosting a special event just for them during Elder’s Day last December.

Northern Igloolik has celebrated Elder’s Day for more than 30 years. This is part of a monthly store initiative where Elders receive a certain percentage off their purchases – but in December, a greater emphasis is placed on the initiative. The Northern store hosts a Christmas celebration and invites the Elders of the community to gather and spend time together for a celebration that is well known and looked forward to by the Elders.

This special day was held on December 22, with the store hosting a special lunch and a bingo. The lunch was bought from local hunters, sourced by the store’s Assistant Manager Wendy Guillemette. While the store had to minimize the games compared to the past celebrations due to the pandemic, the event still served to show appreciation to the Elders in attendance.

“Elder’s Day is an important and invaluable event that allows us to thank the Elders in our community,” store manager Peter Longley shared.       

The Elders’ Lunch was held in a space designated for the luncheon and in a community that had zero cases of COVID at that time. Social distancing was followed and facemasks worn, except when the Elders were eating.