Ollie Ittinuar, a well-known and well-respected Nunavut elder, died in Rankin Inlet on Monday night. He was 93.

In 2009, Ittinuar became the first person from Nunavut to be invested in the Order of Military Merit at Rideau Hall by then-Governor General Michaëlle Jean. He was the oldest serving member of the Canadian Forces at the time, having joined the Rankin Inlet patrol at age 60.

He had previously served as a guide with the RCMP and as a Special Constable.

Ittinuar was also a long time hunter and a teacher and he was involved in everything from mining to hamlet affairs.

Ittinuar is survived by his wife, Lizzie, and many children including his son Peter, who is a former Member of Parliament.