Baker Lake (Feb 12/03) - Close to 170 educators from across the Kivalliq will be in Baker Lake next week working to improve their craft.

The hamlet is hosting Katinngaqtut (Gathering Together), the Kivalliq regional teacher's conference from Feb. 17 to 21.

Cassie Hallett is the volunteer chairperson for the conference, and says there's plenty of enthusiasm around the region for the conference.

"We have an excellent volunteer committee of teachers who have been helping to organize the event since May of 2002 and that's been a big help," says Hallett.

"Both the community and school staff members have been very accommodating and welcoming as they prepare to host this event."

Hallett says the focus of the gathering is to offer relevant professional development to Kivalliq educators.

Katinngaqtut will provide educators with the opportunity to connect with each other and share ideas and strategies for being the most effective teachers they can be.

"We'll have about 180 people here, including a few presenters who are not teachers from our region."

Among the keynote speakers scheduled to appear is Hetty van Gurp, well-known educator and founding president of Peaceful Schools International.

A number of local elders will also be at the event.

The conference will cover a wide range of topics, including iglu building and shelter survival, integrating aboriginal science with western science, suicide awareness in schools and cooking with caribou.

The event will also feature a special guest appearance by well-known actor, musician and Order of Canada member Tom Jackson, who will be in Baker from Feb. 18-20.

Jackson will perform at Rachel Arngnammaktiq elementary school on the 19th.

Hallett says a week-long gathering can't be all work, so committee members organized a number of social events during the evenings.

"We didn't want just any entertainer to come. We wanted someone who could speak with real knowledge and passion on some of the issues communities, students, and teachers face in Nunavut.

"We did want a solid entertainer to perform, but we also wanted one who could provide some inspirational messages regarding some of our major issues, suicide in particular, which so deeply affects our communities and schools."