REPULSE BAY - A group of female students spent a week learning how to make their own parkas at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay earlier this month.

Carmen Kusugak prepares to add her name to a parka she sewed during a special skills course at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Jennifer Perry

The program was part of Tusarvik's ongoing efforts to bring more traditional learning into the classroom.

Local District Education Authority secretary Jessica Tinashlu was one of three instructors involved in the weeklong program.

She said the 12 students in the program ranged from Grade 7 to Grade 12.

"Every student was able to complete her parka during the week," said Tinashlu.

"A few of the girls were already experienced in how to make a parka, but most of them were beginners.

"The girls who were just learning did great - even wanting to add designs on their parkas, so they put on their names, stars, things like that, to give the parkas a personal touch.

"They all did a really, really good job."

Tinashlu said the students really enjoyed the program.

She said bringing as much Inuit culture, skill and tradition into the classroom as possible is a big thing at Tusarvik School.

"For myself, as a Tusarvik graduate in 2007, traditional skills and learning is a really big thing for me.

"The kids always look forward to participating in these types of traditionalskills programs, and that makes me feel good about what's going on at the school.

"We always have a good number of students take part in the courses, and it's also something our community really supports.

"Every parka the girls made was one I'd be proud to wear."

Tinashlu said Wendy Katokra and Idga Taparti helped her instruct the parkasewing program. She said if the students did something wrong on the parka, they were shown how to take it apart and sew it again the right way.

"We were always there for them anytime they needed a bit of help," said Tinashlu.

"I've been making parkas since about 2002, when I finished my very first one and I really hated it.

"I've become much better since then, and just recently finished a pair of parkas for my husband and I."