Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 19/99) - Lillian Elias had an inspired idea.

Elias, who teaches Northern studies at Samuel Hearne high school, said she figured one of the best ways to help her students get in touch with their roots was to let them interview those roots -- their elders, that is.

"The first step to getting them to mix was to get them in contact," said Elias, "but since it's hard for many of the elders to get out and come to the classroom, we decided the students should go to them."

Elias divided up her students and asked each group to choose one of its member's grandparents as subject for the study. What followed were a series of lunch-time interviews where kids visited their chosen elder and got both their curiosity and hunger satisfied.

Stefan Allen said it was no problem bridging the generation gap and communicating with Martha Harry.

"I get lots of practice speaking with older people," he said. "I live with my grandparents -- plus, my auntie is talkative."

Chris Brake, however, said his visit to the home of Jason Cutten's grandmother, Mabel Allen, frankly left a bad taste in his mouth; courtesy of his first encounter with muktuk.

In general, the students said they enjoyed the experience and presented their teacher with interview reports.

"Martha Harry was born in 1918 at the mouth of the Akulliq River," wrote the group comprised of Phillip Harry, Dana Grimes, Stefan Allen and Wayne Elanik. "When she was a child they had no phones, no television, no electronics and no furniture. When she was young they played napaachak, string games such as ayahaqand."

Diane and Mandy Day talked to Inuvik pioneer Billy Day.

"He was born in Tom Cod Bay along the Arctic coast," they wrote. "On March 29, 1951, Billy married Maggie Alunik. They have been married now for 48 years. In those 48 years Billy and Maggie had 12 children and adopted two. They have many grandchildren and too many great-grandchildren."

Pat Tingmiak brought Chris Lennie along to talk to his grandmother, Sarah Tingmiak, and also came away with some food for thought.

"We asked her if it was hard to live on the land when she was a little kid. She thought it was different and a little hard," they reported. "Sarah raises some of her grandchildren and she has travelled all over Canada to bring back drum dancing. Sarah goes to Kendal Island every summer and helps out with the fishing and whale hunting."

Jason Cutten, Chris Brake and Ben Wright wrote of their visit with Mabel Allen.

"Mabel Allen was born in 1941. She grew up around the Beaufort Sea. She said it was hard growing up because there was no technology, the weather was cruel and the kids always had to play with their dogs because of polar bears. When she played outside she used to wear caribou mukluks, pants and a parka. When asked what language she spoke, she humorously replied -- Tuk language. Mabel's favourite foods include seal, caribou, char and herring. While we visited her we asked if she had any muktuk. She did and was kind enough to let us try some."

No doubt the memories of the interview, particularly for first-time muktuk sampler Chris Brake, will linger for some time.