Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 28/00) - It was a day of good food, exciting games and wholesome family fun in Rankin Inlet earlier this month when the Kataujaq Society hosted its eighth annual picnic.

The event drew about 300 people to the hamlet grounds in the heart of the community.

Executive director Evelyn Thordarson says the Kataujaq Society's board of directors were pleased with the turnout.

"The turnout was great considering the weather was bad, being cold and threatening rain all day," says Thordarson.

"But, I said a prayer and we didn't get any rain."

This year's event was sponsored by First Air and the Department of Transportation.

The Hamlet of Rankin Inlet allowed use of its grounds for the picnic, and provided tables, chairs and barbecues.

RCMP Const. Henry Coman organized a bike rodeo for the event.

Thordarson said the picnic brings families together.

"People somehow get the idea that a shelter for battered women is to tear families apart and the focus here is to show that we are family orientated.

"We're not here to break up families. We're here to put families back together."

Thordarson says the society relies on the corporate community to help it with the annual picnic. She praised the generosity of Rankin businesses that donated prizes.

"I asked for logo items so the businesses would get recognized for what they do in the community," she said.

Renovations that will improve security at the society's shelter in Rankin are almost complete.

"We were closed for about a week as a result of the renovations," Thordarson said.

"We started in the beginning of July and we were assured by the Rankin Inlet Housing Authority -- our partners in the project -- that everything would be done within two months."