RANKIN INLET/REPULSE BAY - Squeals of delight erupt from the kids as Santa Claus walks into their classroom at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Back row from left, Kris Irkootee, Riley Lachance, Leela Nauya, Amber Graham, Shilo Chislett and Chelsea Netser, and front row from left, Nolan Tattuinee, Daphne Ittinuar, Sharona Nilaulak, Kennedy Sigurdson and Emilee Morey, were paid a surprise visit by Santa Claus at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

These days, Santa is recognized as quickly in a small Kivalliq community as he is anywhere in Canada.

But that wasn't always the case.

Renowned children's author Michael Kusugak can remember a time when the local priest was the closest thing to a Santa Claus for kids in Repulse Bay.

In fact, kids in Repulse knew nothing about the Jolly Old Elf in those days.

"The first time I remember really hearing about Santa Claus was when I attended residential school in Chesterfield Inlet and, because it was a real Christian school, Santa did not have the stature he does in today's commercial world," said Kusugak.

"When I was a little kid, we had all become Christians in Repulse Bay and Christmas was a time of celebration.

"Inuit were nomadic and gone most of the year, but, at Christmas time, people started arriving in Repulse."

Kusugak remembers most of the community going to midnight mass at Christmas, and a celebration being held at the Catholic mission the following day.

He said everyone would bring their pots to the mission and the priest would fill them up with beans and bacon for a special feast.

"I remember the dog-team races every Christmas which my uncle, Charlie Tinashlu, always won because he had the best dogs that he brought in from Iglulik.

"Another big moment was when the priest would throw lots and lots of hard candy on the snow and we'd all scramble after it like mad.

"That's, probably, the biggest thing Inuit identify with Santa the most; how he always brings presents and sweets."

Kususak said although the kids of his day didn't have Santa, they did exchange gifts.

He said what you gave someone as a gift was very special back then.

"We never went out and bought gifts, but what we did was to give something we prized very highly to our friends at Christmas.

"We would go to their house or iglu and we would hold the present behind our backs.

"We would go up to them, say Happy Nuuja (New Year), shake their hand and give them the present.

"And we would always get a present in return."