鈥淲riting in syllabics again, amazing!鈥� said Premier P.J. Akeeagok, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the guest book at Nunavut鈥檚 legislature on Jan. 19, the morning after a historic devolution agreement was finalized in Iqaluit.

Accompanied by his youngest son, Hadrian, who also signed the book in Inuktitut at his father鈥檚 instruction, the prime minister and premier once again confirmed their commitment to the new Nunavut resource management agreement.

Speaking to Trudeau, Akeeagok said, 鈥淚 was very honoured that you could be here with us to celebrate really what the vision of Nunavut and Namminiqsurniq has been for many, many years. To get to that finish line, I think we know there鈥檚 important work ahead of us, but to be sharing that stage with the many Elders鈥� and the incredible youth that were [performing], shows the importance of Namminiqsurniq. So I would like to welcome you, and thank you for that leadership to get that devolution agreement done.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to be back here,鈥� Trudeau replied. 鈥淩eflecting on what my dad [said] when he brought me up here 50 years ago 鈥� and in the past 10 years to have seen the tremendous transformation, the changes, the strengthening of Nunavut in so many different ways 鈥� yesterday鈥檚 announcement was another huge step forward. There鈥檚 a lot of work together over the next three years to make it a reality, but the partnership we have is extremely strong. While we do that, we鈥檙e also going to be taking care of other [issues], whether its continuing our great work on housing, or鈥� talking about sovereignty in the protection of the Arctic, or whether its moving forward with things like childcare, where Nunavut has already gotten $10/day [federal childcare program] well ahead of schedule. It鈥檚 the kind of partnership and strength that we have as [leaders], particularly working with NTI [Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated] as full partners.鈥�

Akeeagok then took Trudeau and his son for a private tour of the legislative assembly chamber, where Hadrian sat in the speaker鈥檚 seat while his father proudly looked on.