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RANKIN INLET - Students at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet took part in a unique ceremony to help them better understand what Remembrance Day ceremonies are all about this past week.

Co-principal Tyrone Power said the special Remembrance Day ceremony was the first one his staff can remember ever being held at the school.

Students at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet applaud their own efforts in preparing their school gym for a special Remembrance Day ceremony this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

He said the event was enjoyed by staff, students and parents alike.

"Remembrance Day is one of the biggest days of the year, as far as I'm concerned," said Power.

"Everywhere I've ever been, if there wasn't a Remembrance Day ceremony, I spearheaded organizing one because it's the ultimate symbol of freedom and democracy and the price paid by those who earned them for us."

The special ceremony was organized for students in kindergarten to Grade 4 to help make them aware of exactly what Remembrance Day is.

Rankin Inlet District Education Authority was represented at the event, as was the Royal Canadian Legion and the Rankin detachment of the RCMP.

The ceremony began with the playing of O Canada and an opening prayer delivered in Inuktitut.

In addition to the guest speakers, a number of Grade 4 students recited poems related to Remembrance Day and told a story about war and the effects it can have on those who fight and their families.

Power said crosses were stuck upon the wall as a symbolic gesture.

He said each class in the school was represented by their own cross and poppies.

"The ceremony was more or less a special program of awareness for the kids at this age level because they might not be as exposed to it as much as students attending high school or middle school.

"It gave our kids a chance to do something special for Remembrance Day, and the staff was fully supportive of it.

"When you go to the official Remembrance Day ceremony, it's always pretty much geared towards adults," he said.

"So, with our kids reading poems and laying wreaths, it brought it down to a level where they can better understand why we take the time to honour those who earned our freedom."