Aklavik (Jan 31/05) - If you're anywhere near Alaska next week, it would be best to dust off those old dancing shoes.

Nearly 700 traditional drum and dance performers will take over Point Barrow from Feb. 3-5 for the 11th Kivgiq cultural gathering.

Unable to wait until she got home, Kaleigh Dondee Precious Storr takes a lick of the chocolate cream pie she won at a Cake Walk on Saturday night in Aklavik. The event raised almost $710 to help send the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers to the Kivgiq in Alaska next week. - Chris Hunsley/NNSL photo

In attendance will be the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers, the sole Canadian group to be invited to the bi-annual event. Russian and American performers will make up the remaining 20 dance teams, with a Polynesian dance group from Hawaii as the featured guests.

"We find it an honour to be invited," said Carol Arey, one of 34 members of Aklavik's ensemble who will attend the event.

The community started fundraising last fall to cover the $55,000 cost of the trip.

Some corporate donors chipped in, said Arey, but the majority of the money was raised in the small community of less than 800 residents.

"We're just about there," said Faith Gordon, secretary/treasurer for the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers, of the total raised so far.

The community added almost $710 to that on Jan. 22, following a Cake Walk fundraiser.

Good times ahead

In attendance as guests of the Aklavik Drummers and Dancers will be the Delta Good Time Band.

"They want something different over there," said Charlie Kasook, rhythm and base guitarist for the group. "They want to have an old time dance. They want to jive."

With a few thousand people expected to attend, Kasook said the Good Time Band will offer a change of pace from the traditional drumming.

"They're bad for jitterbug over there," he said, laughing.

Kivgiq, a bi-annual cultural gathering, is a showcase for Inuvialuit and native dancing, drumming, arts, crafts, traditional language and culture.

It also involves a complete take-over of the community of 4,800 residents.

"The community is really great about hosting people in their homes since there aren't enough hotels here," said Margaret Opie, special assistant to the mayor of Point Barrow.

The Kivgiq is also a venue for family and friends to reconnect.

"It's about going out there and meeting your family and new dancers," said Gordon.

Since most of Aklavik's aboriginal population is originally from Alaska, Arey said she feels they are less representative of Canada and more performers of a traditional Inuvialuit artform.

"It's not representing the country - it's part of our culture."