Through the years of the Rev. Aigah Attagutsiak’s ministry to Inuit in Ottawa, the great event of the year has been the St. Margaret’s Christmas feast — an all-day celebration including service of worship, a dinner with just-arrived country food, family games played and presents distributed to all. Food was sourced, and gift bag contents and financial contributions were solicited all fall.
Then came COVID and all this was no longer possible.
During this second year of restricted access to facilities, Attagutsiak with Deborah Tagornak and warden Bernie Delmaire decided instead to share gift cards with Inuit community members unable to return to their respective home communities for Christmas celebrations.
Donations were received from Inuit pan-Arctic organizations and local agencies including Inuvialuit Regional Corporation,Tungasuvvingat Inuit, Kitikmeot Inuit Association, Inuit Tapariit Kanatami, Kivallik Inuit Association and PWRDF. When their help was added to the contribution from St. Margaret’s operating budget, there was more than $6,000 available for Christmas cheer.
The next step was to send messages via social media, asking anyone wishing to receive food gift certificates to register giving their address, phone number and the number of people in their household.
The committee decided to offer cards worth $25 for singles, $50 for couples, $75 for a family of three and $100 for a family of four or more. They ended up purchasing 75 $25 cards at Freshco, 50 $50 cards at Walmart and 25 $75 cards at Giant Tiger. The only other expense was the cost of printing a new Christmas postcard (pictured above). The cards were packaged and ready for handout at St. Margaret’s door on Dec. 23. Some ended up being delivered personally.
In the end, 287 people (most in household groups) were registered for the gifts. A few cards were also handed out to unregistered folk on the spot.
On Dec. 24, the committee had a few moments to catch their breath (we hope) before St. Margaret’s Christmas Eve service.
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