ARVIAT - Three students from Arviat were chosen to represent Nunavut at the National Historica Fair in Lethbridge, Alta. from July 9 to 16.

Gwendalyne Ishalook is taking her project on Inuit clothing to the National Historica Fair in Lethbridge, Alta. from July 9 to 16. Ishalook is joining 165 other students from across Canada who will display their projects at the Lethbridge Exhibition Park July 14. - photo courtesy of Maggie Manik

Gwendalyne Ishalook, Gloria Pameolik, and Mary Ulimaumi from Arviat will join two other Nunavut students to form the Nunavut delegation.

"The goal of Historica, and our kind of catch phrase, is your place in history," said Laura Boudreau who helps organize the National Historica fair. "Each person takes pride in their heritage and we connect that to national heritage."

Ulimaumi chose to do her project on Inuit carvings, learning about traditional ways from a local elder and renowned carver Lucy Tutsweetok.

"When I did the research about carvings, there were many carvings I was looking at," said Ulimaumi. "I chose Lucy because [her carvings] were nice and cool."

Ulimaumi said she did research on the Internet, in books and by talking with Tutsweetok. Now Ulimaumi will take her project to the national stage in Lethbridge for her first trip outside of the North.

"I look forward to meet ingnew friend from different communities," said Ulimaumi. "I would like to travel to different places to attend activities.

Ishalook, 12, did her project on traditional clothing, getting a lot of the information from her mother Maggie Manik.

"She's pretty smart and bright and was really interested," said Manik. "She bugged me all week to help her out."

Manik passed along her knowledge about traditional clothing such as seal skin kamiks, caribou parka and caribou pants.

"It's really important to keep the tradition alive and for survival," said Manik.

Traditions from across the country will be represented at the exhibition, as each province is sending 15 delegates. Boudreau said because of high transportation costs and a lower number of students compared to Southern provinces, the fair takes just five students from Nunavut.

She said that it's a dream of the group to hold a National Historica Fair in the North one year.

"It's really important for the overall mission of the fair to connect students from across Canada," said Boudreau.