Sunshine Coast RCMP give Lifetime Achievement award to local Inuk artist Annie Aculiak

Sunshine Coast

2022-07-06 15:16 PDT

On June 23rd, 2022 local Sunshine Coast RCMP Indigenous members Cst Jihan McDougall and Cst Britni Reierson, Detachment Commander S/Sgt Martin Guay, and Cpl Philip Atoui, attended the residence of local Inuk artist Annie Aculiak to present her with a Lifetime Achievement award alongside Mayor Darnelda Siegers and Mayor Bill Beamish.

RCMP presented Annie with Lifetime Achievement Awards Annie in her ceremonial dress with RCMP

This initiative first started when Annie’s husband Pierre Jacques phoned the Sunshine Coast RCMP informing them of Annie’s declining health. Sunshine Coast RCMP were very familiar with all the incredible work Annie had done and knew they needed to share their appreciation for Annie’s dedication.

The Sunshine Coast RCMP presented Annie with the BC RCMP LMD insignia Challenge Coin bearing Indigenous art on either side. Traditionally challenge coins are presented to recognize excellent work, carried and collected by service members and law enforcement.

The BC RCMP Indigenous Policing Services also presented Annie with a carved eagle feather which Cst McDougall says, in many Indigenous cultures the eagle is believed to be sacred as it flies the closest to the Creator. It symbolizes respect, honour, strength, courage and wisdom. Traits Annie has surpassed in her career and deemed a perfect fit for this award says Cst McDougall.

Over the years RCMP have gotten to know Annie and all the amazing work she has done including her art which was primarily felt art but she could carve in stone, whalebone, ivory, and antler. Annie additionally set pace in the Walk for Reconciliation in Vancouver leading tens of thousands.

Annie is an incredible example of overcoming adversity through art, says RCMP S/Sgt Martin Guay.

Annie, although ill, donned her ceremonial Inuit dress to receive her award from RCMP members who were dressed in their ceremonial Red Serge.

Sunshine Coast RCMP would like to thank Annie Aculiak for all her amazing work she has done and honoured to have presented her the Lifetime Achievement award before passing away on June 26th, 2022.
 

Released by

Cst. Jihan McDougall

Media Relations Officer
Sunshine Coast RCMP
5800 Teredo St, Box 188 Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
Office: 604-885-2266
Fax: 604-885-9473

Email: SCRCMPmedia@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: sunshinecoast.rcmp-grc.gc.ca (English only)

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