Baker Lake (Mar 22/06) - Students at Jonah Amitnaaq secondary school in Baker Lake are developing strong traditional skills due to a solid lineup of cultural-inclusion programs.

Leading the way in the school's efforts to bring culture to the classroom is the Northern Studies program.

It recently completed its second phase this semester, which is being regarded as one of its most successful to date.

Nine Grade 10A students designed and created their own ulus and panas (snow knives), and then went out on the land to learn iglu building with Robert Inukpak.

Course teacher Craig Vincent says the phase was so successful because the students were totally focused on the task at hand.

"The group is dynamic this time around, and the motivation that came from the students was really heightened," says Vincent.

"All the various phases of this program have been successful.

"But the desire to use what they created ... was something special."

Vincent says Jonah Amitnaaq school is one of the leaders in Nunavut for the quantity of cultural-inclusion activities it provides.

He says the programs go above and beyond what's often expected because the entire staff supports them.

"There is a strong desire among parents, elders, teachers and students for the application of Inuit Qaujiniajatuqangit principals away from what's considered to be our concrete curriculum.

"We strive very hard to bring more cultural relevancy into our educational program every year, and the results of that effort are surfacing in a positive light.

"The programs are not meant to validate curriculum learning, but to augment it and make it better.

"We want to make it a broader experience for the students."

Vincent says a driving force behind the program is that it's often the first time students actually create their own ulu or pana, and then go on the land to use them in a traditional setting that's culturally relevant.

And that, he said, is the beauty of the program and the students' intrinsic motivation to do well.

"The desire within everyone - no matter who you are or what culture you come from - is for connectivity and a sense of place or belonging that a program like this can provide.

"In many aspects, the program is not about the objects we choose to create.

"The experience transcends an ulu or pana and becomes far more complete.

"The students grow throughout the process, from the initial comparison of tool designs to the desire to be out on the land learning together."

Sean Aksawnee says the ulu and pana course was a good experience for him because it was his first time to really use some elbow grease.

"I also learned a lot about safety during that time, and I could give my finished ulu and pana away as a present to my family members," says Aksawnee.

"I would like to do it again because it was really fun."

Kirsten Tootoo also enjoyed the program.

She says she always wanted to make an ulu and the program gave her that chance.

"The fun part of the course was going out to Airplane Lake," says Tootoo.

"I got to help with the iglu building, mostly just making the snow blocks, but I had lots of fun doing this project."

Kevin Iksiktaaryuk says making his own pana and ulu was a great experience.

He says the best part of learning to make a pana was cutting the blade.

"My favourite part of making the ulu was the bolt; drilling the holes for the rivets and cutting directly down the centre for the ulu blade to go in place," says Iksiktaaryuk.

"This is a great experience for anyone to learn."

Ian Joey Amarook says it was great to use his pana for the first time making an iglu on the land.

He was also quite happy by his family's reaction to his efforts.

"My uncles all like my pana and now they want me to make a pana for them," says Amarook.

Vincent says while there is much discussion about how much fun the students have in the program, the skills they learn could also save their lives one day.

"The students often look at their finished project and wonder if it can be improved upon.

"As a teacher, there's a great sense of gratification attached to that."