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Kitikmeot students turn rockhounds

Teens learn about geology during mapping study

Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services


Cambridge Bay (Dec 02/02) - An Inuk gazes out over the vast tundra, familiar with the Northern land.

Nunavut's Inuit have understood their environment for centuries, depending on the Earth for food and shelter. Now they are using their skills to find other riches.

"Inuit make some of the best prospectors I have ever worked with," said Robin Wyllie, Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s (NTI) research exploration geologist.

He was referring to the Inuit's ability to find riches in the rocks.

Last summer, Chris Gillis, 18, Dune Tologanak, 16, and Derek Ehaloak, 16, three Cambridge Bay high school students, were part of a mapping project on Nunavut's Inuit-owned lands. They worked in the exploration camps, looking after the generators and maintaining the boats.

In the field, they helped survey the land and collect rocks. They also got a little taste of geology-friendly technology.

"We got the students to run the Global Positioning System pack," said Wyllie.

The students were part of a geological survey being done to determine what lies under the ground where Inuit own the sub-surface and surface rights.

Getting youth involved

"My long-term goal is to have a beneficiary take my job," said Wyllie.

In Nunavut, there is no forestry or agriculture so it is important for young people to understand the resources waiting under the earth.

Early in the year, word went out that NTI was looking for high school students interested in summer geology exploration work. Four people applied and three were chosen. The project started in July and ended in August.

The oldest student, Gillis, had graduated from high school but was so inspired with the field work, he decided to return to upgrade his math, science and English skills, hoping to further his geology career. The other two returned to school in Cambridge Bay. For all three, the work came

naturally.

"They had skills on the land. They all liked to go out on the land with their families," said Wyllie.

So far, the expedition is considered a success. Wyllie wants to continue an expanded program next year.

"We would like to do it with more students. Another thing we are contemplating is teaching prospecting skills to non-students," he said.

Nunavut has about 35,000 square kilometres of land where Inuit own the sub-surface rights, an area about the size of New Brunswick. Inuit own the surface rights to nearly 350,000 square kilometres.

NTI also hired two university students who were both putting together thesis projects based on the summer program. Though neither student, Peter MacDonald or Ron Therriault, are Inuit beneficiaries, NTI's aim was to get the university's advice and expertise.