RANKIN INLET - Four students from Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI) in Rankin Inlet spent three nights on the land earlier this month as part of their Northern studies program.

The students, Robert Simik, Simeonie Makpah, Jordan Ippiak and Seamas Ayaruak, were accompanied by teacher Mark Ronald and elders Jack Kabvitok, Paul Kanayok and Aline Kabvitok.

The group harvested three muskoxen on the trip and distributed the meat around the community upon returning.

Ronald said MUI tries to run five land trips in support of the program.

He said the recent venture to Gibson Lake followed a two-night trip in January with seven students.

"There are 26 Grade 10 students involved with the Northern studies program, and we hope to have all of them involved in at least one trip by June," said Ronald.

"The next one will be a day of fishing, so we hope to get a lot of kids out for that.

"Most of them really like participating, but some don't like being away from town for a few nights."

The Northern studies program covers Northern history from the ancient peoples of Nunavut up to the arrival of explorers, whalers, RCMP, furtrading posts and the formal educational system.

It also covers traditional and southern systems of court, and the formation of Nunavut.

Ronald said traditional skills are a big part of the program.

He said teaching the Northern studies course gives him a great reason to run land trips as an effective component of the program.

"The kids get a lot of exposure to Inuktitut on the trips because the elders speak it while they're out there.

"So, they get the chance to hear and speak a lot more of the language.

"They also gain traditional skills like navigation and how to build an iglu, set nets under the ice and properly cut up an animal.

"They're outside before 7 a.m. and asleep by 10 p.m., so you really get to see the kids in action."

Ronald said another benefit of the land trips is generating cultural pride, and helping the kids feel good about being on the land and working on traditional activities with the elders.

He said the trips are popular with the students.

"Most of the kids always look for an opportunity to get out on land excursions, especially when it's away from town and they get to spend a few nights out there.

"It's an experience a lot of them generally don't get.

"Some kids have become total townies and don't get a chance to go out on the land at all.

"It just blows their mind when they're out having totally different experiences than what they're used to."