RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ- Sixteen Kivalliq youth improved their traditional skills while taking part in a culture camp on the land near Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

Coral Harbour elder Joanassie Nakoolak, left, and Mordecai Kitterdlik of Whale Cove work on a miniature unaaq (harpoon) during a culture camp on the land near Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Kivalliq Inuit Association

The Kivalliq Inuit Association's (KIA) Pijunnaqsiniq Culture Camp was held at Pangniqtuuq Nuvua, about 17 miles south of Rankin.

The nine-day camp was staffed by David Nuluk (Repulse Bay), Joanasi Nakoolak (Coral Harbour), Susan Nuluk (Repulse), Susie Angootealuk (Coral), Annie Napayok (Whale Cove), Epiksaut Dion (Coral), Matilda Sulurayok (Arviat), Simon Kowmuk (Rankin Inlet), Pujjuut Kusugak (Rankin) and Eugene Kabluitok (Rankin).

The youth who took part were Panikuluk Kusugak and Isreal Aliyak (Rankin), Stacy Milortok and Darren Mapsalak (Repulse), Tina Kayuruk and Theoren Mannik (Baker Lake), Rebecca Nagiyak (Arviat), Mordecai Kitterdlik and Rayla Amitnak (Whale), Bernard Angootealuk and Rolanda Eetuk (Coral) and Chester's Jonah Issaluk.

The males were taught how to make a harpoon and an ulu, went caribou hunting at Corbet Inlet with Kowmuk, and boating with David Nuluk to Pikiuliarjuk.

The females made their first kamiik for either themselves, or their mom, dad or child.

The girls also made mitts, were taught which skins are best for which items, and were shown why different types of sealskins are used.

Pujjuut Kusugak said it's important for Inuit youth to gain an appreciation for living on the land, and to improve their traditional skills so they can work with what they have.

He said there was plenty of storytelling and solid interaction between the elders and youth at the camp.

"The instruction was said to be very good this year and the youth really enjoyed the camp," said Pujjuut.

"We didn't have one person say they were homesick and that's pretty amazing.

"In fact, a lot of the kids said the camp was too short and didn't want to go home when it was over.

"This group worked well together and we never had to ask twice for anything to be done at the camp."

Pujjuut said the association looks at the camp as a way to build cultural pride.

He said youth will want to learn more about their culture and take part in more traditional activities if they have pride in who they are.

"Once you build cultural pride, everything else should follow, like speaking Inuktitut and developing hunting and sewing skills.

"These things are attached to pride and, if that's built up, people will want to strengthen and preserve them."

The program was funded by Urban Municipalities Aboriginal Youth Centres through Heritage Canada.

Pujjuut said the culture camp is one of the KIA's most popular programs.

"Many youths apply to this program and we always feel bad when we can't accommodate everyone.

"We usually get four applicants for every spot, so we certainly hope we can continue the camp for years to come."