Kevin Wilson
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Oct 31/01) - What is it about Halloween that makes our ears perk up? People have been celebrating the holiday, or some variation of it for thousands of years.

Perhaps Halloween endures because there's nothing quite as fun as having the pants scared off you. Perhaps that's why Halloween is such a popular holiday for kids aged 3 to 93.

Just ask Paul Anowtalik. Arviat's recreation co-ordinator says the annual costume party he organizes is one of his most popular annual events, even if he doesn't get to go.

"I've missed Halloween two years in a row," he says. Laughingly, he adds that, "I work on it and give it over to the staff."

Over at Repulse Bay's rec hall, Levi Katokra says some of the costumes worn by kids and adults stretch the limits of creativity.

"There's always interesting costumes," he says. Occasionally, people dressing up use entire caribou skins or other unique materials for their costumes.

Both communities will be doling out their share of treats to ward off tricksters. Arviat and Repulse Bay's Halloween party's will involve liberal doses of candy, along with some money for the best costumes.

"We'll be giving some cash, and some other things away," says Anowtalik. The sweet stuff follows the prizes in the form of a candy toss.

Once the prizes are awarded, the candy is tossed, and young and old alike are sufficiently buzzed on sugar, the ghouls and goblins of the Kivalliq will dance the night away.

Not for Anowtalik, at least. There's a reason why he's missed the last two parties.

He'll help to arrange them, for the benefit of the community, but in reality, he's, "just not much of a Halloween person."