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QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND
An Inuit tradition is seeing a revival in Qikiqtarjuaq, where suluvik square dancing is being reintroduced at the school after demand from youth at a hamlet after-school program.

Kindergarten students at Inuksuit School in Qikiqtarjuaq suluvik square dance with (adults from left) elder Evie Natsiapik, accordionist Johnny Keeyoutak, guitarist Stevie Audlakiak, elder Leah Q. Kooneeliusie, and community justice outreach worker Mary Killiktee last month. - photo courtesy of Juanita Balhuizen

"It used to be part of our tradition of celebrating events," said community justice outreach worker Mary Killiktee, who runs the program. "The square dance was always involved when there was an event happening in the community – for example, Christmas."

People lost interest, she believes, because of the historical trauma and suicides in the community. Reintroducing the activity may help heal those scars, Killiktee said.

"To get our identity back and build self-esteem and a sense of belonging to the community," she said. "It's the root of our ancestors. I believe this will help and benefit the young people."

Between 25 and 30 local youth take part in square dancing at the community's after-school program, which introduced square dancing in 2010, and they suggested Killiktee take the dance to Inuksuit School.

"They asked us if we could help and we are responsible for hiring an accordion," she said, "and the school hired two elders to teach the movements."

So for a few days in late January and early February, accordionist Johnny Keeyoutak and elders Evie Natsiapik and Leah Q. Kooneeliusie joined Killiktee to share their skills with the school's 129 students in their physical education classes.

"Just watching the elders and adults, and the kids dancing with them, I think something improved," said Killiktee, who believes it shows kids that it's OK to have fun at school. "It has made a difference there."

"I am so excited to bring culture into the school more," said principal Juanita Balhuizen. "For me, it's about learning what's important to the community and bringing that into the school."

Grade 5 student Colin Kooneeliusie had never square danced before, but wants to do it again.

"It's easy," Kooneeliusie said, explaining that his favourite move is the pamiuk, "when we're running around the lines and try to catch each other."

Classmate Sharon Koksiak, who danced once before at Christmas, says her favourite move is the tilali, when dancers are in a line and two join up in the middle, clap hands and rejoin the line. She hopes to do more square dancing at school.

"It's fun," she said.

She may have to wait until next year to do it at school again, though, as Inuksuit expands its cultural programming. Balhuizen said Inuit games and spring camp are next on the physical education curriculum.

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