Ottawa Police and Community Equity Council name Executive Boardroom in honour of Annie Pootoogook

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 29, 2021   4:15pm

(Ottawa) — The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) and the Ottawa Police Community Equity Council (CEC) are pleased to announce the naming of the OPS Executive Boardroom in honour of Inuk Artist Annie Pootoogook.

The highly used boardroom located on the 3rd floor at Ottawa Police Headquarters at 474 Elgin Street, will be named the Tunnganarniq Boardroom in Honour of Annie Pootoogook.

Annie was a prominent artist from Kinngait, Nunavut who lived in Ottawa prior to her tragic death in 2016.  The word Tunnganarniq, translates to “Fostering good spirits by being open, welcoming, and inclusive”, and was chosen after consultation with the CEC’s Indigenous Relations committee.

“The committee wanted a name that would honour Annie Pootoogok and the Inuit Community.” said Heidi Langille, Community Co-Chair of the CEC Indigenous Relations Committee. “Inuit do not normally name inanimate objects after people; personal names are reserved for children in order to allow the name and spirit to live on. Tunnganarniq in Honour of Annie Pootoogook was agreed upon.”

The announcement comes just before the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada on September 30^th.  

An official ceremony and plaque unveiling will be organized for the Boardroom at a later date, when COVID-19 restrictions permit.  

- 30 -

CONTACT:

Media Relations Section

Tel: 613-236-1222, ext. 5366