ARVIAT - The halls of John Arnalukjuak high school in Arviat were awash in a sea of red and white on Feb. 15 as students and staff took part in a special series of events to recognize national Flag Day.

Among the Arviat students and staff at John Arnalukjuak high school to celebrate Flag Day on Feb. 15 were Katelyn Suluryuk, Elizabeth McClintock, Amber Tagalik, Ursula Tassieor, Cheryl Kinak and Becky Okatsiak, front row from left, Naomi Manik, Mona Angalik, Lois Suluk, Chantel Kablutsiak, Nicole Issakiark, Elizabeth Mukpah, Amanda Kigusiutnar and Danielle Fitzgerald, second row from left, Kelly Karlak, Sabastian Kanayok and Manassie Thompson, third row from left, and Bob Wells, Evan Pemik, Roland Akatsiak, Detrick Mamgark and Cody Prosky, back row from left. - photo courtesy of Gord Billard

The school applied to the Celebrate Canada committee for Nunavut to receive supplies for a red-and-white day and a Canadian trivia contest.

Committee member Bianca Currie-Poirier had raised the idea of holding a special event on national Flag Day with all three Arviat schools.

Poirier says high school principal Greg Campbell was quite keen on the idea, so the committee sent the school tattoos, flags and information about the national day and what it means.

She says the highlight of the items were large silk flags presented to students who dressed the most patriotic and/or had the most correct answers on the trivia contest.

"School staff put together the day's activities and turned it into a real learning experience for the kids," says Poirier.

"The participation was excellent, with almost every kid at the school wearing a tattoo, and there were Canadian flags everywhere.

"They held a home-room competition and every kid in Dana Fitzgerald's room was completely decked out.

"They won a pizza party for being the best room at the school as far as their dedication to the assignment."

Poirier says Canada Day and Flag Day are two of the biggest days of the year.

She says it's been difficult for the Nunavut committee to establish a strong presence in the Kivalliq region because most of its representatives are situated in the Iqaluit area.

The committee finally gained a foothold in the Kivalliq when Poirier joined about a month ago.

"We're going to start really pushing things for Canada Day now, and then we'll turn our attention to Flag Day in 2008.

"Another area of note is that if you haven't travelled all that much, you don't get an appreciation for what our flag means to others.

"When you get the chance to travel outside the country, it really hits you how significant our flag is to many parts of the world.

"In fact, the Canadian flag is one of the most recognized in the world."