Students enjoy time in ottawa, head to japan
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Apr 18/01) - By the end of this month, six Kivalliq students will have performed in Ottawa, spent time at the Governor General's home, met with a prince and princess, and the Ainu people of Japan.
The students -- George Henrie, Lavenia Kowmuk, Alaana Kusugak, Goretti Panika and Krista Zawadski of Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove's Gloria Kowtak -- are among 16 students taking the Nunavut Sivuniksavut program in Ottawa, Ont.
The special time began April 1, when the students demonstrated various aspects of Inuit culture and tradition at the Bronson Centre Auditorium. After the audience was welcomed, Nunavut MP Nancy Karetak-Lindell spoke about Canada's newest territory.
The auditorium was then filled with an air of traditionalism by the lighting of the qulliq and a prayer by Reepa Evic-Carleton, a long-time drug and alcohol abuse counsellor from Pangnirtung who resides in Ottawa.
The students' began with a brief introduction of their program, before performing four traditional songs.
Zawadski co-hosted the event and says a number of Inuit traditional games were demonstrated in each segment of the two-part show.
Those from the Ottawa region who attended the show were treated to a demonstration of the one- and two-foot high kick, knuckle hop, airplane, dead man's lift and Alaskan reach.
Zawadski says while the crowd was thrilled with the traditional games, the most impressive event was the Nunavummiut act of celebration.
"Square dancing in the North is such a big thing with celebrations," says Zawadski. "We started off with the Kitikmeot style of dancing with six people (three sets of partners), before doing the Rankin Inlet style with eight people dancing in a big circle and, finally, we tried the Baffin style.
"The girl who co-ordinated that particular dance, however, kind of grew up in Scotland, so it ended up being more Scottish than Inuit."
The magic continued on April 10 when the group spent a little time at the home of the Governor General of Canada.
Adrienne Clarkson made quite an impression on the students, winning them over with her charm and gracious personality.
"She is really amazing. You see her on TV and she looks so glamorous and beautiful. When you meet her in person, you realize just how beautiful she is on the inside."
Land of the rising sun
On April 26, the accolades of the Bronson Centre and the majesty of the Governor General will slip behind the misty veil of the North Pacific Ocean, and the land of the midnight sun will join with that of the rising sun.
The 16 students and three instructors will land in Tokyo, Japan, on April 27.
Among the dizzying number of impressive events are a visit with Prince and Princess Takamado.
The Japanese have a fascination with Inuit culture and, during their stay, the NS students will attend a screening of Atanarjuaq, and view the Masters of the Arctic exhibition of Inuit art and carving at Amway's Japan headquarters.
But the lure of Japan for these students is anchored more in traditional substance than modern production.
"It will all be special, especially the Atanarjuaq film because our classmate, Lucy (Tulugarjuk), co-stars in the film and will be presenting it.
But, the main reason we're going to Japan is to meet the country's indigenous group, the Ainu people, in the northern islands of Hokkaido.
"That promises to be something very special because of the history and tradition of our two peoples."
