Rankin Inlet (Feb 19/03) - Students in Rankin Inlet are learning traditional skills thanks to the combined efforts of the community's three schools.

Leo Ussak elementary student Tracy Tatty is enjoying her time in the cultural inclusion program at Manni Ulujak middle school in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Leo Ussak elementary (LUE), Maani Ulujuk middle school (MUI) and Alaittuq High pooled their financial resources to offer a cultural inclusion program at MUI.

The middle school's principal, Margo Aksalnik, says the schools don't receive enough funding to offer the program on an individual basis.

"We have three elders, Eva Nukapiak, Jack Kabvitok and Peter Ipkornerk, instructing the students," says Aksalnik.

"Guita Anawak also helps out with some Inuktitut instruction and co-ordinating the program."

MUI and LUE students attend in the mornings and high school students come in the afternoon.

Aksalnik says once the high school students are finished, students from the other two schools will attend more often.

"Both high school and middle school girls are working with caribou skins, learning how to scrape and soften the skins before sewing mitts.

"They may also get to do kamiks if we have enough skins," says Aksalnik.

A number of the female students get to join the boys during shop classes to learn qamutik, ulu, and snow-knife making.

Aksalnik says the goal is for the majority of students in the community to attend the program for at least a couple of days.

However, it can be difficult for older students excelling academically to free up the class time to attend.

"We're seeing a number of students from the high school who, maybe, aren't having so much success academically.

"This program gives them a chance to finish a project."

Both high school and elementary staff select their students to attend MUI for a week of home economics or shop.

Once one group is finished, another is sent.

Hosting the program allows MUI to be a bit more flexible in its approach.

"If interest is low for a certain class, we'll jump in with more of our kids to keep the elders busy for the day.

"That's not a problem all that often, though, because the kids love the program."