Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Arviat (Aug 03/05) - It may not be broadcast on any major television station, but several talented residents are singing their hearts out for the title of Arviat Idol.

Abraham Eetak rocks out during the Arviat Idol competition.

Arviat Youth Piliriqatigiit (AYP) organized the competition last week.

One hundred people showed up to watch on Monday, the first day of performances. Votes were cast by the audience at the end of the night, which resulted in two competitors being eliminated.

"When we go out and count the votes it's fun to see the little kids hand-writing," said AYP president Kukik Baker.

The audience has to decide who will stay, and who will go, but they are still supportive of everyone.

"I haven't heard a single boo," Baker said.

Nine competitors, including two duos, began the week. Audience voting cut it down to two finalists over the week, but the final decision on a winner was in the hands of the three judges who critiqued the contestants throughout the week.

This is not the first time AYP has taken a reality television show and made it a little more real for people in town. They organized an Amazing Race earlier this year.

When searching for ideas the group thought, "what else can we take from TV and put it into real life," Baker said.

They settled on an Idol competition, but had to "tweak" the rules to fit the North.

Since no one in town has their own recorded music to sing along with, AYP provided a back-up band. Some people played guitar while they sang, some even drum danced for their performance.

"We're a really Christian-based community, so a lot of people have been singing songs they've sang in Church," Baker said.

Some microphone problems on Monday marred the show, but performers bounced back and got better as the week went on.

"You could really see the change in the participants."

It is this calibre of performance which prevented more people from entering the competition, Baker said. Many people thought there would be a lot of contestants, and less chance of winning.

Residents are asking for another idol competition next year and AYP hopes to make it an annual event.

AYP filmed the event, and hopes to release it on DVD, VHS, and CD.

Money raised from the $1 admission fee will go towards sending youth to a suicide prevention hike in Baker Lake, or to Youth Celebration Week in Coral Harbour.