Rt. Rev. Paul Idlout
First Inuit Bishop in Canada
1935-2025
Bishop Paul Idlout went to be with the Lord at age 90, a kind and gentle man with a good sense of humor. Born in a camp on the land near Pond Inlet, he went on to serve as a Special Constable with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police before entering ATTS in 1986. Ordained in 1990, he was elected suffragan bishop in 1996 and served until 2004. Governor General of Canada Mary Simon honoured him with a letter at his funeral.

Rev. Canon Dr. Jonas Allooloo
Translator of the Holy Bible
1946-2026
Born on the land near Igloolik, Jonas was raised in a Christian family, with his father serving as a lay catechist who led services out on the land. At residential school in Churchill, he heard the Lord saying that God also speaks the Inuktitut language, and this began a lifelong work of studying and translating the scriptures. Ordained in 1975, he went on to serve as the Cathedral Dean in addition to his work in translation.

Rt. Rev. J.C.R. “Chris” Williams
4th Bishop of The Arctic
1936-2026
Raised and trained in England, Bishop Chris – or Supuuktutilik, “the one with the pipe” – was the last of the early generation of missionaries who came from overseas and traveled from camp to camp by dog-team or snowmobile. Fluent in Inuktitut, he helped organize the translation of the Old Testament, while raising his family and making his home in the north. He was instrumental in raising up Inuit clergy, shifting the balance from overseas missionaries.

Rev. Canon Tom Martin
40+ years of service in Kuujjuarapik
1936-2026
The community of Whapmagoostui/ Kuujjuarapik woke tragically on Easter morning to learn that their long-time minister along with his wife and grandson had passed away in a housefire. Having made the north their home Canon Tom and his wife poured out their hearts and their energy for their community. Being our own Cree-speaking congregation, Tom worked tirelessly to ensure translated resources were always made available, and over his long ministry he served the diocese on just about every committee possible.

Mr. Geoff Wiest
Diocesan Chancellor
1961-2026
Our Diocesan Chancellor went to be in the nearer presence of the Lord unexpectedly in January of this year. A well-respected member of the NWT law community, Geoff attended Holy Trinity Anglican Church, where he had served in various ways over the years in addition to being very active with a number of community organizations. He had been instrumental in reviewing and streamlining a number of policies, procedures, leases, and various other “behind-thescenes” aspects of running the diocese.