Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Arviat (Oct 17/01) - While folks in Rankin Inlet were making a lot of noise about winning, people in Arviat were quietly reading on Oct. 3.

As a result, that community again topped the list of participants in the annual Nunavut Literacy Council's Read for 15 promotion.

The Nunavut Literacy Council has six regional representatives, three employees and an executive board.

The council promotes literacy in all languages in Nunavut.

It works to help develop and support those learning or improving their reading and writing skills across the territory.

Read for 15 coincides with Literacy Week celebrations to encourage people of all ages to stop and read for 15 minutes on a specified day.

Some people opt to read during their coffee break, some at home with their children or relaxing, and a number of schools throughout the Kivalliq designate a special 15 minutes to take part in the promotion.

Sheets are distributed in some communities for people to fill out with their name and when they read.

While in other communities, people report their numbers through the local school or library.

The numbers are then sent to the Literacy Council to record the results.

A friendly rivalry between Rankin Inlet and Arviat has built up during the past few years.

Emil Arnalak of Nunavut Arctic College in Arviat says his hamlet earns the right to brag by having the most readers participate every year.

With the final tally being 884 readers in Arviat and 734 in Rankin Inlet, he couldn't resist a bit of good natured ribbing again this year.

"Rankin Inlet lost by a good number," says Arnalak, "150 to be precise.

"Arviat residents have something to be happy about because we know Rankin can use the word lose for a change.

"As for the other communities, I encourage them to try their best at everything they do and know they don't have to be numerous to win."