windspeaker confidential - Annabella Piugattuk

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Annabella Piugattuk, 21, was born in Iqualuit, Nunavut, grew up in Igloolik and is now in Vancouver concentrating on her studies to earn her high school diploma. She received a 2004 Genie nomination in the performance by an actress in a supporting role category for her portrayal of Kanaalaq in the recently released movie The Snow Walker. The film marked her professional acting debut.

Windspeaker: What one quality do you most value in a friend?

Annabella Piugattuk:

With my best friend who I lost a year and a half ago, I valued trust and honesty and being yourself.

W: What is it that really makes you mad?

A.P.: Crazy, aggressive drivers.

W: When are you at your happiest?

A.P.: I guess it would be when I'm on the phone with my little sister. Because we get all loud and giggly and all excited to hear her voice.

W: What one word best describes you when you are at your worst?

A.P.: I get loud, obnoxious. I become pretty quiet too, sometimes. Just like I want my own space. I don't want to be seen by anyone. I want to be on my own, kind of thing.

W: What one person do you most admire and why?

A.P.: I guess it would have to be Renee ... my best friend who died, [her] older sister. I've known her all my life and she is an amazing, caring, understanding, forgiving, charming, beautiful woman. She is easy to talk to. She's always given me advice when I couldn't go to my mom for advice. I love her. I admire her very much. She's never got into any trouble or stuff like that.

W: What is the most difficult thing you've ever had to do?

A.P.: Moving away from home and doing The Snow Walker.

W: What is your greatest accomplishment?

A.P.: Moving away from home and doing The Snow Walker.

W: What one goal remains out of reach?

A.P.: Winning the lottery? Getting my Grade 12. I mean, I'm doing it, but it still seems really far away. It's hard work, going back to school.

W: If you couldn't do what you're doing today, what would you be doing?

A.P.: I would probably be at home with my little sister. But for the most part I'm doing what I would be doing. I'm going back to school and getting my Grade 12.

W: What is the best piece of advice you've ever received?

W.P.: Respect my Elders. Respect my body. What else? I don't know. I had to learn about life pretty much on my own sometimes. I've never really received much advice. To respect my Elders and respect my body.

W: Did you take it?

A.P.: I followed them.

W: How do you hope to be remembered?

A.P.: Well, I'm still pretty young. How do I hope to be remembered? I don't know. I can't really answer that. I would just like people to remember me as the little Eskimo girl who moved to a big city and pursued her education, to be her little sister's role model.