By Jeff Pelletier | Nunatsiaq News
A memorial scholarship in honour of Noah Paniyuk means the late Qulliq Energy Corp. electrician’s legacy lives on, says his daughter Julie Ell.
Paniyuk, who lived in Rankin Inlet, died last summer while working on generator repairs in Naujaat.
Ell and family members were at the legislative assembly in Iqaluit Monday afternoon as John Main, the minister responsible for QEC, announced the creation of a scholarship in Paniyuk’s name.
“It feels amazing to know that there’s some part of him that will go on, because he was very dedicated to his work,” Ell said in an interview.
“It makes me happy knowing that other people will have the opportunity to get a scholarship for any trade that they want to go into. Because being a student is a lot of work, financially, because you’re basically on your own.”
When Paniyuk was a trades student at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, his classmates underestimated him, Ell said.
However, “he turned out to be the top of the class and everyone was always asking him for help.”
QEC’s annual Noah Paniyuk Scholarship Program will award $5,000 to two Nunavut students who are in a trades program or starting one in Canada, Main said.
“There’s never been a more crucial time to strengthen Nunavut’s workforce as we face growing infrastructure needs, and as national interest in Arctic sovereignty increases alongside new investment in the region,” he said.
“Through this scholarship, Qulliq Energy Corp. reaffirms its commitment to building capacity, honouring legacy, and helping Nunavummiut access meaningful in-demand careers.”
Paniyuk was a well-known worker and mentor within QEC, Main said. Last year, Nunavut Employees Union president Jason Rochon said Paniyuk was a member of the Local 07 bargaining team.
On Monday, Ell reflected on Paniyuk as a loving father and grandfather. She recalled being a toddler and spending time with him while he was at work.
Paniyuk was a “provider” for his family and others, she said.
“He allowed my mom to be a stay-at-home mom, which I loved cause my mom took care of us all throughout our elementary school days and stuff like that, and my dad always made sure we had food, clothing, and a roof over our head,” she said.
“He was just a hard-working man all around, and he provided country food for elders as well.”
After Monday’s legislature proceedings, Main told reporters QEC continues to co-operate with the Workers’ Safety and Compensation Commission on an investigation of the fatal incident.
QEC continues to strengthen its safety and provides support to employees who still mourn the loss of a “valued co-worker,” he said.
