Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Arviat (Aug 08/05) - Several talented residents sang their hearts out for the title of Arviat Idol last month, but Lydia Akat stood alone at the end.

Arviat Youth Piliriqatigiit (AYP) organized the competition, which saw nine competitors, including two duets, try to outsing the others.

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

Everyone got involved.

"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 decided who would stay, and who would go, but they showed support for all the performers.

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

Audience voting cut the competition down to two finalists: Akat and duet Ilai Pameok and Patrick Pingushat.

The final decision was made by volunteer judges Linda Pemik, Patsy Owlijoot, Charlotte St. John and Mary Anne Alagalak. They critiqued the contestants throughout the competition.

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

When searching for ideas the group asked: "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 the first night slowed down 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 that 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.

Final standings

1st: Lydia Akat

2nd: Ilai Pameok and Patrick

Pingushat

3rd: Abraham Eetak

4th: Jocelyn Malla

5th: Karen Panigoniak and Maria Illungiayok