Broughton Island (Feb 09/04) - High school students at Inuksuit school in Qikiqtarjuaq are spending the next few weeks learning traditional skills.

Students in Grades 10, 11 and 12 have been split into two groups. The boys are learning how to build qamutiiks and the girls are learning how to make sealskin kamiiks.

The classes started in early January and already the students have learned a lot.

For Oolana Nuqingaq, a Grade 10 student at the school, the class has given her the chance to learn something new.

"This is my first time making kamiiks," she said. "I think it's going pretty good. I'm having a lot of fun."

This is also the first time Derek Kooneeliusie, also in Grade 10, has built a qamutiik.

"It's hard and challenging, but it's also fun," he said.

One thing about the class that surprises Nuqingaq is how much work is involved in making the clothing.

"It's been a lot of work. First we had to take the fat off the skins and dry and stretch them," she said.

"We've even had to make some yarn."

Of course all that hard work will be worth it when Nuqingaq gets to wear the finished product.

"I can't wait to put them on," she said.

Kooneeliusie added he can't wait to take his qamutiik out on the land for the first time.

Elders from the community are volunteering their time to teach the students the traditional skills.

Phil Riggs, principal of Inuksuit, said the cultural programs were made possible because of a $22,000 grant from Brighter Futures.

Riggs explained this is the first time in three years that they have been able to offer the cultural programs.

Darcy Steele, a teacher at the school, said it is important that the students have an opportunity to learn these cultural skills.

"It shows that schools don't have to be so academic," he said.

"These are skills that are important to their culture."