That's because Ettuk was born deaf, and couldn't speak. Today, however, she's teaching others in her home community of Arctic Bay sign language -- whether they're deaf or not -- through a new sign language course.

"I like to teach people how to do signing. It's a problem getting people to understand me. We learn by doing, laughing and having a good time," said Ettuk.

The course is a result of a community effort to promote inclusion and education for everyone.

Officials estimate there are as many as 10 people affected by some form of hearing impairment in the community of 646 residents. Nunavut Youth Consulting, a non-profit organization, wrote the proposal outlining the program in September, and Ettuk began teaching the course three weeks ago.

She said the course is a step in the right direction. At the age of 13, Ettuk was sent to a school in Montreal for deaf children. She does not want to see any more children sent away from their homes to be educated.

"Today, the kids have a better chance. It's better now. My goal is to go out to bingo or other places in the community and communicate with people other than my family," said Ettuk.

Ron Elliott, the chair of Nunavut Youth Consulting, said Ettuk's work would help hearing impaired people and the rest of the community improve their communication skills.

"The people who are hearing impaired need as many opportunities as possible," said Ron Elliott, chair of Nunavut Youth Consulting.

The course is 12 weeks long, ands scheduled for Mondays and Fridays from 7-9 p.m. The course is free of charge to all interested community members.

The Community Learning Centre in Arctic Bay provided the space and the Department of Education is contributed $3,900 to cover costs. The funding will last for one year.

Elliott said if all goes well, an application will be made for more funding and the program will be offered again next year.