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RANKIN INLET - Staff members at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet have stepped up their efforts to highlight Inuit culture at the school.

Co-principal Tyrone Power said the increase in cultural activities has been going well at the school, despite the fact there was a bit of a late start implementing a few of them this year.

Donovan Ayaruak takes on Grade 4 student Jaden Pemik, right, in the headpull contest, as Qilak Everard moves in for a closer look during cultural activities at Leo Ussak elementary school in Rankin Inlet this past month. - photo courtesy of Tyrone Power

Power said every evening activity now has a cultural theme such as Northern pastels, Inuit guessing games, bannock making or Inuit games.

He said the level of enthusiasm among the kids has increased, and they really enjoy participating in the various cultural activities.

"We've put together a cultural committee to look at a number of initiatives we can do for the rest of this year and hopefully, implement for the entire 2009-2010 school year," said Power.

"We're also holding a cultural day every second week - the next of which is scheduled for March 19 - that has the entire day devoted to cultural activities.

"If the temperature is good, we'll be doing outside activities that may include iglu building and snow sculpting.

"If it's not so nice, we'll hold it inside and do traditional Inuit storytelling and Inuit games."

The daytime activities will be a nice segue into the school's first parent-student talent night, which is tentatively scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m.

Power said school staff members hope most of the show's activities will be culturally-based.

He said if the show receives an overwhelming response, a second will be added for an afternoon.

"Our evening activities have seen a dramatic increase in participation, but, most of the time, it's the parents of the kids at school who come.

"We're hoping a regular talent show will help us get more people out to our events than just the parents.

"We're going to really try and get the entire community more involved with our activities during the next school year.

"So we're definitely moving in the right direction, and to date the community has responded very well to our increase in cultural events."