RANKIN INLET - Drum dancers from across Nunavut were in Rankin Inlet to take part in a drum dance festival this past week. The event ran from April 6-10 and was presented by the Qilauq Drum Dance Group.

Frankie Immingark of Kugaaruk was one of the many drum dancers from across Nunavut who performed in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Among the communities represented at the festival were Rankin, Kugaaruk, Repulse Bay, Arviat, Whale Cove, Cambridge Bay and Gjoa Haven.

Rankin's Paul Pissuk was the driving force behind the event. Pissuk, 42, has been drum dancing since learning from his dad and grandpa at the age of four. He said the group worked on planning the festival for almost a year.

"There were so many people here, I just hope everyone was OK with the way it went," said Pissuk.

"We saw many different styles of drum dancers, depending on whether they were from the Kitikmeot, Repulse, Rankin or Arviat - everyone has their own style.

"My grandpa was born between Baker Lake and Kugaaruk and I drum dance in the style of the Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin area."

To the untrained eye, drum dancing appears to be a performance of an ajaaja singer providing the vocals as a drum dancer keeps the beat. But Pissuk said there is much more to it when you know what you're looking for.

"Everyone always gives their best because we want to be good drum dancers.

"We don't just hammer the drum but follow the singer and tell stories or show ways of life through our drum dancing.

"I drum dance like a polar bear walking and, if I'm moving around, I'm showing the community has enough food, daylight is coming and we're going to survive winter.

"I also drum dance to show seal hunting, with a man holding a harpoon and waiting for a seal, and I use my drum to show the water swaying as he's waiting."

Pissuk said he was glad to see so many young people at the festival.

He said drum dancing could soon be in trouble if more youth don't pick up the tradition.

"I've enjoyed drum dancing all my life, but there's not enough drum dancers now.

"Many of our drum dancers and ajaaja singers are getting too old now. We need more young people to become drum dancers and singers. If any youth in Rankin want to learn, they're welcome to let me know and I'll help them."