Glen Korstrom
Northern News Services

INUVIK (Nov 13/98) - Whenever Inuvik hosts conferences or when area groups host receptions, one integral part is usually the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers.

It was not always this way.

The group formed in 1989, from the initiative of people such as Debbie Gordon-Ruben, Lenard Harry and Abel Tingmiak.

They phoned elders such as George and Martha Harry, Sarah Tingmiak and Jean Arey to try and learn as much as they could about the moves and meaning behind several traditional dances.

Slowly, the group expanded with the goal to make current and revive part of Inuvialuit culture long before people started to live in communities such as Inuvik or even Aklavik.

"The song Trekking is about when people were not living in communities, but were leaving their traditional whaling summer camps to relocate into their fall and winter camps," Gordon-Ruben says.

"There are motions in the dance to show the pushing and pulling of the willows when they are carrying their umiaks."

The umiaks were large boats Inuvialuit used long before outboard motors and, at parts of the river journey, they would carry the boats on land.

Then, the Inuvialuit were a subsistence people, existing on hunting and eating whatever animals they were able to catch.

They would hold feasts and gatherings where many would dance to enact legends, stories and the people's prehistory.

The Inuvik Drummers and Dancers, who have picked up this tradition, meet twice a week, as they have since '89.

On Monday nights, adults meet at different people's homes and then on Thursday nights there are all-ages meetings at Ingamo Hall.

There is no age limit to join, and Gordon-Ruben says the group has an open-door policy for newcomers.

"I think, every year, there have been new people to replace those who are leaving. There are also a lot of youth involved and children as well as elders."

All included, Gordon-Ruben estimates the group has about 20 members.

When the drummers and dancers performed Nov. 6 for dozens of Inuvik residents and area leaders who were in town for the Beaufort Delta leaders' conference, there was also a word of thanks and dedication to George Harry, who was instrumental in giving the group initial direction and who died this summer.