Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services
Sanikiluaq (Jan 29/01) - Culture may be a tough thing to learn in a week but a course offered in Sanikiluaq is offering a rich taste of it to newcomers to the North.
Sanikiluaq RCMP Cpl. Parker Kennedy was one of the first people to take the five-day program, Jan. 15 to 19. He has been stationed in the North for more than a year after coming from Nova Scotia but wanted to learn more about Inuit people and their culture.
He praised the sample of culture he was fed, saying it was a "success."
"Books will tell one story, however, for me to sit with a group of elders and listen to their real-life experiences was overwhelming," he said. "Compassion can not be found in any book."
Bill Fraser, of Qikiqtait Tour and Outfitting Co. Ltd., established the Inuit Qaujimatuqangit (IQ) Orientation Workshop where participants learn about Inuit culture, tradition, language and history.
Fraser's workshop teaches newcomers, or anyone interested in everything from history and politics to language and games, the basics of Inuit culture.
"I would recommend this type of course to anyone who expects to visit or live in the North for an extended period of time," said Kennedy said. "To sit with the elders share their iglu, play their games and to listen is invaluable."
The first eight students included local school teachers, Arctic Co-op employees and representatives from Inuit organizations.
Students payed a tuition of $840. Kennedy's was paid by RCMP training section in Iqaluit.
"The monies expended was well worth the cost," he said.
Fraser said he hopes the GN, which said it wants to focus on IQ issues, will consider having new employees take the course.
