Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, May 07, 2007

IQALUIT - There were throat singers in the library and square dancers in the cafeteria.

Inuksuk high school students had a cultural buffet put in front of them two weeks ago, with everything from drum dancing to beading.

This was the fifth year for the QIA's Inuktitut Language Celebration at the high school. Over three days, cultural activities happened at two locations in the school, and students took turns checking it all out.

Whether they sit up front and hang on every word or sit in the back with their headphones on, the organizers said they think the youth are getting something from the week.

"When I went to school here, I remember there not being much Inuk content," said Becky Kilabuk, the QIA's regional youth co-ordinator. "We knew that there would be students who don't appear to be interested, but they will get something from it."

Kilabuk was on the phone, trying to track down an accordion, when contacted by Nunavut News/North.

From picking up elders at the airport to documenting the week, she was in constant motion.

Some kids are interested, but a little shy in front of their peers.

Pond Inlet elder Jayko Peterloosie had an easy way of getting youth to participate. He wanted someone else to play his drum, and when no one volunteered, he simply offered his drum to a youth in the front row and shrugged his shoulders. The kid took him up on the offer.

Moments like that between elders and youth is one of the goals of the week.

"Seeing the youth work with the elders, and connecting with each other, that is what this week is about," said Emily Karpik, a regional youth co-ordinator with the QIA.

Elders came to the event from Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Cape Dorset and Clyde River. Combined with the cultural performers from Iqaluit, youth had a full selection to choose from.

The program only runs in Iqaluit, but the organizers see the capital as the place where this sort of instruction can do the most good.

"We have thought about that, but culture is stronger in the communities. Iqaluit is where it is needed," said Kilabuk.