To say Rankin Inlet Elder Johnny Ayaruaq was a proud grandpa this past week when Lisa (Amarok) Kingmeatok, 17, landed her first beluga whale and showed up at his home with fresh maktaaq would be one hefty understatement.
Ayaruaq said Kingmeatok never really thought about the experience of harvesting her first beluga whale on the outskirts of Rankin Inlet — until it happened.
He said a big thanks goes out to Silu and Maggie Autut for their help.
"They generously shared their catch and I was so proud of Lisa when she showed up with a bag of maktaaq at our home," said Ayaruaq.
"As her biological grandparents, Lisa brought us big slabs of maktaaq. My dear wife, Mialie, and I really enjoyed eating fresh maktaaq with great smiles, knowing it was caught by Lisa.
"I'm very positive that her late stepfather, Johnny Kingmeatok, was the happiest of all of us up in heaven."
Ayaruaq said he was happy and proud to see that there were lots of congratulatory posts on Facebook.
He said thanks was also owed to Alice Ipkornerk for bringing Lisa over to their house with the maktaaq.
"Wifey and I are forever thankful for what we received and to see young people being taught how to harvest mammals and land animals."
