Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Whale Cove (Sept 05/01) - Just when it seemed things couldn't get any better for the participants and the audience attending the Nunavut Arts Festival in Cambridge Bay, people began to realize three generations of one family was among their midst.

Seventy-six-year-old Monica Selveak Adjuk and her 87-year-old husband John Adjuk were joined at the festival by their daughter Agnes Poksiak-Turner and her daughter Hazel-Emma Aqsakaaq Turner.

The entire family hails and resides in the Kivalliq community of Whale Cove.

Speaking from her home last week, Poksiak-Turner, 54, said it was a learning experience for all three generations. "Including my parents, we all learned something."

She said it wasn't until the very last minute that each of them realized the other was also invited to attend the annual arts display. Once in Cambridge Bay, she said all family members realized the artistic potential each of them possessed.

"My parents were amazed at the way my baby girl's skills were," Poksiak-Turner said, referring to six-year-old Hazel-Emma. "They were surprised she was as good as she was," she said.

Hazel-Emma reportedly amazed her grandparents and other onlookers with her adeptness at painting, sewing and entertaining a crowd.

Similarly, Poksiak-Turner said she was surprised to learn that her mother was also so clever and funny in front of an audience. Monica, a doll-maker and seamstress by trade, often had groups of people laughing and singing along with her.

"I didn't know my mom could entertain so good in public. When she gets serious, she gets really serious. She just kept attracting people with her sense of humour," said Poksiak-Turner.

In turn, her parents didn't realize their daughter, also a well-known and talented seamstress, could drum dance so many different ways.

"It was really something," said Poksiak-Turner.

"At home, we just accept each other and when we have certain things to do, our skills start showing," she said.

"We were so grateful we all had the chance to get together."