Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jan 04/06) - Students and elders came together for a morning of fun times and good eats at Maani Ulujuk High (MUI) in Rankin Inlet this past month.

Eddy Sandy keeps participants like Billy-Jo Napayok hopping during Maani Ulujuk High's student games earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Held the last day of school before Christmas break, the event featured numerous games and activities, lots of prizes and an elders' feast.

Grade 9 to 11 English teacher Mark Ronald said the games and feast provide an opportunity for elders and youth to spend some quality time together.

He said the annual event is also a chance for the school to promote Inuit cultural.

"About 85 per cent of our 300 students are Inuit and we only have one Inuk teacher, so it's another way the school tries to promote Inuit culture and tradition," said Ronald.

"We had a fairly good turnout this year, especially with our younger students. We also had the senior kids come out who are involved with student council and things like that.

"It was nice to see them stay for the feast and spend time with the elders."

Irene Gordon, Monica Udjuk, and Rolanda and Bernadette Inukshuk prepared the food and oversaw the kitchen activities for the gathering. A fair amount of food was left after the feast, enabling the remaining elders to take home a bag of meat.

Ronald said the elders were somewhat isolated in the past because the feast was held in the home economics room.

He said this year's arrangement worked much better.

"Everyone were together in the gym and seemed to really enjoy the feast.

"Charlie Panigoniak had everyone smiling when he took his guitar out and began to play."

Ronald said although totally meant for fun, the students get competitive when the games start and there's prizes and more than a little pride on the line.

"It's amazing how competitive some of the kids - and teachers -can be. Once you say it's a game, they really want to compete with each other."