Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Friday, April 30, 2007

RANKIN INLET - Western education and traditional knowledge met head-on at Simon Alaittuq middle school in Rankin Inlet recently.

The students did well in their curriculum studies - even getting a visit from the Kivalliq's own mad scientist, Jim Kreuger of Baker Lake - and also got to take part in a number of special cultural-inclusion classes.

The lineup of special classes included drum dancing with Rosalie Pissuk, traditional sewing with Helen Iguptak, elders stories with Moses Aliyak, Mary Anne Tattuinee and Mariano Aupilardjuk, Inuit games with Donovan Ayaruak, drawing with Johnny Ugjuk, preparing caribou skins with Monica Ugjuk, ayaya and throat singing.

Student support assistant Belinda Ugjuk said the special classes were a big hit with the kids.

She said the students really enjoyed learning more about their culture and developing traditional skills.

"The drawing class they had with Johnny, who is a deaf mute, was really something special," said Belinda.

"The kids can tend to be rather talkative and don't really pay attention all the time, but they were totally focused on Johnny because he was communicating by using his hands, writing on the board and using his computer to interact with them.

"They were learning by observing and they were doing quite well at it."

Belinda said many of the students also enjoyed the skin-scraping sessions with Monica.

She said the students were really inquisitive as to what kinds of clothes they good make if they learned how to prepare skins properly.

"We try to keep it to a group of five students with each guest instructor so they all get a turn at trying the skill being demonstrated.

"It's a break from their regular work, sure, but they really enjoy being introduced to the different skills and games, and hearing stories told by the elders.

"I can honestly say most of the kids were really excited each day we had one of the special classes going on.

"They even made a couple of big wall hangings for the school with Helen (Iguptak), which they thought was pretty neat."