KIVALLIQ - Kivalliq youth played a major role in this year's Winterlude performances by Nunavut Sivuniksavut Program (NS) students in Ottawa earlier this month.

Nunavut Sivuniksavut students Elena Kataluk and Randy Kataluk of Coral Harbour, from left, perform during Winterlude celebrations in Ottawa earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Murray Angus

Instructor David Serkoak, formerly of Arviat who now resides in Ottawa, said the students have taken part in the winter festival since he joined the NS staff in 2006.

He said the youth get very excited about the chance to perform during Winterlude.

"Our engagements at Winterlude give us a chance to speak to the public, demonstrate drum dancing and throat singing, and talk to individuals who might want to know more about the Arctic and its people," said Serkoak.

"They often have questions about wildlife or the environment, that sort of stuff.

"Our focus was on Arctic sports during our weekend to perform earlier this month.

"We focused on individual, two-people and group games in connection, of course, to the Olympics being held in Canada this year."

Serkoak said the students also did their regular drum dancing and throat singing at this year's Winterlude.

He said there's never a dull moment during the presentations, especially when the students invite audience members to participate.

"Most Inuit youth we get at NS love performing and get really pumped up for the winter festival here.

"It takes quite awhile to get everything at a good performance level, but that time goes by really fast.

"The students are very keen on helping each other learn the basic steps of drum dancing, and they practice that and Arctic sports on a weekly basis.

"They work very hard because they love to demonstrate parts of their culture and heritage to people in the city."

Serkoak said many students tell him how much they feel they've matured during their eight months in the NS program.

He said they also mention how good they feel about learning a great deal more about their history and culture.

"Many communities don't have strong drum-dancing or throat-singing programs, so the students are very keen on trying to master them while they're here.

"It's hard to put into words their excitement over it.

"I was very blessed with the group of students this year, because many of them were very strong in Arctic sports, drum dancing and throat singing."