Rankin Inlet (May 10/06) - A group of Grade 7 and 8 students from Owen Sound, Ont., spent a week experiencing life in Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

The 10 students and three adults from Hillcrest public school were in Rankin as part of an exchange program.

Kyra Nokkitok challenges Britanny Couture, right, to a traditional contest of strength while Jessica Dew and RJ Oolooyuk officiate during a student exchange program at Maani Ulujuk High in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Lisa Kresky

A group of 10 Maani Ulujuk high students and their chaperons will head to Owen Sound tomorrow, May 11.

Rankin teacher Ken Beardsall said a similar program was held in 2005.

That venture was so successful, Beardsall and vice-principal Lisa Kresky decided to apply again this year.

Both exchanges were co-ordinated by the Canadian Sport Friendship Exchange program in Montreal, Que.

Beardsall said the Ontario kids were treated to a variety of activities in Rankin, including spending some one-on-one time with children's author Michael Kusugak.

"They thought their time with Michael was pretty cool, and they also took part in square dancing, storytelling and cod jigging with elder Ollie Ittinuar, learning Inuktitut with Nancy Makpah, visiting the elder's cabin and a number of Pakalak Tyme activities," said Beardsall.

"The cod jigging was funny because the Owen Sound students actually caught more fish than the Rankin kids.

"Bernadette Dean did a presentation for them on behalf of the Kivalliq Inuit Association, and they got to make some bannock.

"We also arranged a tour of Kivalliq Arctic Foods and some entertainment with Charlie Panigoniak."

Beardsall said the exchange program helps young students learn about other cultures and develop social skills.

He said Rankin students often learn more about their own culture by sharing it with others.

"Some of our students are pretty quiet, but they often open up when they're involved in a program like this. They gain an understanding of how other people live and think."

Beardsall said educational exchange programs also help promote Nunavut to the rest of the country.

"There's a lot of southern kids who still don't know much about Nunavut, but they learn an awful lot about the North when they take part in an exchange program.

"It's a real win-win situation for everyone involved."