ULUKHAKTOK/HOLMAN
Nigel Koplomik knows math skills are vital to building an iglu. The Grade 10 student at Helen Kalvak School in Ulukhaktok said knowing about angles is key to cutting snow blocks and constructing the iglu properly.

Elder Robert Kuptana works on the inside while teacher Colleen Jones helps finish the outside of the iglu. Helen Kalvak School students in Ulukhaktok worked with local elders to build an iglu near the school the week of March 15. - photo courtesy of Richard McKinnon

"We were doing math during that time too, making the iglu," Koplomik said.

Koplomic joined nine classmates working with local elders to construct an iglu near the school the week of March 15

"We want to make sure it has practical implications," said principal Richard McKinnon. "It was tied it into math and science, figuring out volume, determining block sizes."

In addition to reinforcing lessons learned in the classroom, knowing how to build an iglu is also important for anyone travelling on the land.

"It's actually transferable knowledge. If you're stuck out on the land, you can build this," McKinnon said. "A lot of these kids do go out on the land."

Koplomik said he originally learned how to build an iglu from his grandfather but he had forgotten key steps over the years. Making one at the school helped jog his memory.

First, students learned how to find the right kind of snow to create snow blocks.

"We had to use something like a harpoon that you check the snow with," Kiplomak said.

"You poke it in the snow and then you poke it out. After you find good snow, you cut up blocks."

The snow has to be compacted but not too hard, he added.

Once the iglu is constructed, snow is thrown all over it to seal cracks.

Students learned how to build both a quick shelter and a full-sized iglu, Kiplomak said.

The lessons were part of the school's traditional knowledge and skill-building program, McKinnon said.

Earlier in the semester, students learned print-making, carving and drum dancing, as well as how to make their own uluit.

Koplomik said it took three days for him to finish his ulu, which he then gave to his father.

"He really likes my first ulu. That is my first time making one," he said. "It's pretty interesting and it's fun, too."

During the carving portion of the program, Koplomik made a swan out of soapstone. He said he chose the bird not only because it's one of his favourite traditional foods, but also because of the way they fly.

"I like how they taste," he said. "The swan, it can fly pretty high, too."

Funding for each activity is provided in partnership with the Department of Education, Culutre and Employment as well as the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

Elders have also been visiting classrooms to talk about climate change and to teach traditional cooking and bannock-making.

While students are enjoying learning all traditional skills, building an iglu with elders was definitely one of the most popular activities this year, McKinnon said.

"The kids are down there all the time, they still go and visit it now," he said. "They're pretty proud of themselves."

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