Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Pelly Bay (Aug 26/02) - For the first time, the Illaliuvik Daycare Centre in Kugaaruk has completed a summer day camp program.

"It's the first time it's been open in the summer," said the day care's manager, Sadie Arnaluark.

Sadie Arnaluark manages the day care in Kugaaruk. This is the first time there has ever been a summer day camp and according to Arnaluark, it was great. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo

The camp was open to children between the ages of four and 11. It started the first week of August and ended on Aug. 20.

Seventy children took part. They were divided into two groups, each of which had a week and a half of the camp. The kids had a lot to do and the day care staff made sure the activities in which they participated reflected Inuit culture.

"We have Inuktitut reading, crafts, sewing and we make hangings. We try to make these out of things they see on the land, like caribou," said Arnaluark.

As the day care's manager, Arnaluark has a passion and she's making it clear at the day care.

"I'm always telling people not to forget their language because it's who they are. It doesn't matter if you're Inuit or not," she said.

Arnaluark said she makes sure all day care workers speak Inuktitut and that they use the language as much as possible.

Arnaluark taught her first language at Nunavut Arctic College for two years before starting at the day care. She said the transition was easy.

"There's no such thing as saying I can't. It doesn't matter if it's a baby, a young child or an adult. It's just I love to teach," she said.

The day camp came to a close just as school began in Kugaaruk. Arnaluark said the success of the camp makes her confident it will go on again next year.