Iqaluit (Jan 30/06) - How can traditional Inuit knowledge flourish without elders speaking up about what they know? The answer is, it cannot.

That's why Ashevak Palituq in Clyde River is so keen on sharing what few people know anything about -- knowledge of the land and traditional Inuktitut place names.

Palituq, Abraham Tagornak of Repulse Bay, Joanassie Qappik of Pangnirtung, Sandy Akavak of Kimmirut, Inookie Atami of Iqaluit, Lucassie Nowdluk of Iqaluit, Joseph and Martha Qilluniq of Taloyoak and Jacob Peterloosie of Pond Inlet were hand-picked by the Inuit Heritage Trust (IHT) to receive an Elder's Award for sharing what only they know with the rest of the world.

Before making Clyde River his permanent home in 1969, Palituq lived on the great land expanse separating Pond Inlet and Qikiqtarjuaq.

"They had to move around because of wildlife. If there was fish or seal or any wildlife in abundance that they could live on, they would follow it," said Lizzie Palituq, translating for Ashevak.

He forwarded this knowledge to IHT's place names project, yet to be completed.

"He did name all the Inuit traditional places that were not on the map. The places that actually had names he identified from around Pond Inlet up to Clyde River," said Lizzie, who also helped with the mapping project.

Like other Nunavut elders, Ashevak spends time teaching youth this knowledge.

"He appreciates it when younger people ask him about traditional names and he appreciates it when the media asks too," said Lizzie.

Tagornak, Qappik, Akavak, Atami and Nowdluk were also honoured for their contributions about what they know about the land near their respective communities.

Atami and Nowdluk have a history of helping preserve the past. In the mid-1990s they helped people from the Smithsonian (a network of museums and research centres) do archaeology work at the site where Frobisher landed 450 year ago.

Further south in Kimmirut, Akavak is recognized as the all-knowing when it comes to place names.

"If someone mentions a certain name he mentioned exactly where it is and can picture where it is," said Mary Akavak, Sandy's daughter.

Sandy attributes his detailed data to his father, James.

"Ever since he was growing up he learned land names and they just stuck in his head," said Mary.

When word came that Sandy won the award, "he was very happy and proud of himself and his knowledge and believed in himself."

Sandy also wanted to add that the map he helped with is not done.

"He still wants to make people aware of the treacherous areas," said Mary.

IHT set up the Taloyoak Archaeology and Oral History Project which was hosted in part by Joseph and Martha Qilluniq of Taloyoak, also honoured for their work. These two were guides, data-sharers, and "went out of their way to be amazing hosts," said Ericka Chemko, IHT project manager.

In Pond Inlet, Peterloosie's efforts to preserve the Inuit way are unique. His technique is to get involved and share the culture with others. For example, last year he raced in the Nunavut Quest Dog Sled Race from Pond to Hall Beach.

The awards were announced Jan. 4.