Coral Harbour (Apr 26/06) - Elder Mikitok Bruce has been teaching traditional skills to family members for decades and he's showing no signs of slowing down.

Bruce, who celebrated his 86th birthday on April 1, began teaching his three great-grandchildren how to build an iglu about a month ago in Coral Harbour.

The four work on the project together every weekend.

Dino Bruce says Mikitok is still quite active for a man his age.

"He's always enjoyed doing this type of thing with family members because passing on traditional knowledge is quite important to him," says Dino.

"The first Saturday morning he started this project, he said he wasn't going to stop teaching the kids until they knew how to build an iglu.

"He's been at it with them ever since.

"They've only had to skip one weekend because it was too warm for the snow to be any good."

Devin Ujugalak Kalai, 9, Austin Nukapiak Bruce, 8, and Chad Tagiuq Bruce, 8, have learned to cut blocks and are ready to start forming their iglu.

Dino says you can see the pride on Mikitok's face as he teaches the skills to his great-grandchildren.

He says Mikitok feels today's younger generations lack the skills necessary for the land, especially if they get into trouble because of bad weather.

"The kids really enjoy their time with him because he's a humble man who will never say anything to hurt your feelings.

"He enjoys spending time with them and they tune into that."

Dino says Mikitok used the same type of teaching methods when he was a young boy.

He says the elder is never pushy and lets you learn at your own pace.

"He gets you to watch how he does something first and then you get your hands wet afterwards.

"It's not a case of you watched me build an iglu, now you do it.

"He takes it step by step and he makes sure you have learned one step before he moves onto the next.

"He really does have pretty good teaching skills."