Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (Nov 26/01) - In grade school, Piuyuq Enoogoo struggled to comprehend a qallunaat teacher who spoke a different language.

As she grew up, she looked back on that teacher and decided she could help students in similar situations.

"I start thinking that I should start helping other Inuit students who cannot understand their second language," said Enoogoo.

"So I went down to Iqaluit for teacher training. When I became a qualified teacher, I applied to Arctic Bay, where I lived."

She got the job, and 20 years later Enoogoo still has the same mission.

"In small communities there's a lot of Inuit students, so they need to have an Inuk teacher who can understand their culture, tradition and language," she said.

"Some of the Inuit in the Eastern Arctic are losing their language. Our language is so unique and I feel like we don't have to lose it."

If she could change anything about the school system, she said she would include more of Inuit culture in the classroom.

"I would have elders in each classroom because they've got really good knowledge of our culture, tradition and language. That way they could try to keep our language alive.

Enoogoo has been in Arctic Bay her whole life, save the 10 months teacher training in Iqaluit. She doesn't think of moving away.

"I have a family right here in the community, and I am starting to have grandchildren. I don't want to move away from them," she said.