Cambridge Bay (Oct 27/03) - Eva Otakiak, the elder co-ordinator in Cambridge Bay, was busy last Wednesday rounding up elders for the morning prayer at the Killinnik High School gymnasium during the Kitikmeot Trade Show.

Eva Otakiak, elder co-ordinator for Cambridge Bay, spoke Wednesday of the importance of trade shows, not only for business but also for youth and as a forum for passing traditional knowledge. - Stephan Burnett/NNSL photo

She brings in Bessie Omilgoetok and Luke Novoligak to do the morning ceremony.

While Novoligak says the prayer, Omilgoetok lights up some cotton.

"It's made out of stone, it's a woman's oil lamp," Otakiak says, explaining the significance of the basin Omilgoetok is firing.

"She has cotton we picked up from the tundra. We picked it up from the ground in the summer and she's using seal oil for burning," she says.

In the background, the Kitikmeot Trade Show clamours on. Otakiak points and says the trade show is good for Cambridge Bay.

"If I had to start all over again I would choose something in there," she says, nodding toward the show. "I would go for it."

"Of course, you also get to collect all the goodies for when you get home," she laughs.

Otakiak has lived in Cambridge Bay for 44 years but she refers to her birthplace, Bathurst Inlet, as her home.

The mother to five children, three boys and two girls -- two of her children are adopted, another two are blind. Otakiak has earned her wisdom the hard way.

"My children grew up here and they've all graduated here -- with the exception of one of my daughters who is in Grade 8. I don't think I'd trade Cambridge Bay for anything," she says.

It's an interesting perspective, to think that a trade show might be held primarily for the benefit of youth rather than for the benefit of business itself. But curiously, the high school setting seems appropriate to Otakiak's overall theme.

"I'm open to anything for my children, whether they choose to live in Kugluktuk, Yellowknife or wherever, it's their choice. It has to come from them. I want them to think for themselves," she says.

Otakiak listens to the elders and follows in their tradition. She teaches her children right from wrong. She teaches them there are dangers out in the world. She teaches them to be prepared -- for their own safety, she says.

"It's their choice where they want to go. If people get pushed into things, you're life gets unhappy. You have to remember it's 2003 now, it's not the 1960s anymore."

Otakiak concludes with the importance of the elders and passing on their traditional knowledge, "the how-to" as she puts it.

"Trade shows are good for the young, the old and the elderly. It gives them an idea for what is out there."