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Well-known Nunavut children's author Michael Kusugak spent some time telling stories to students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

Keeping the craft alive

Storyteller spellbinds audiences with tales of Inuit tradition

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Repulse Bay (Apr 30/03) - Michael Kusugak is one of Nunavut's last great storytellers.

The well-known children's author travels North America spellbinding crowds with tales steeped in Inuit culture.

Kusugak was in Repulse Bay earlier this month with representatives of the University of Manitoba to talk to local residents about maternity care.

"We have a birthing centre in Rankin, but everywhere else people have to be sent away to have their babies," says Kusugak.

"We're trying to find a better solution than sending expectant mothers down South."

Kusugak grew up in Repulse and staff at Tusarvik school weren't long in asking him to spend some time with local students, which he graciously agreed to do.

The storyteller split a morning with groups of junior and senior students.

"I talked to the younger kids completely in Inuktitut and they were really receptive.

"But, you know, when I travel all over Canada and the United States telling stories, I get the same reception from high school students as I do from the younger kids."

Kusugak says the older kids in Repulse readily identify with him because they're growing up in the same community as he did.

"I've made quite a splash all over North America talking about life in Repulse Bay, and they seem to appreciate me putting the spotlight on their community.

"When I tell the kids I've always enjoyed writing about the place where I grew up, and people's wonderful reaction to those stories, they seem quite proud."

Students often approach Kusugak during his travels to give him samples of their writing.

The storyteller always makes the time to read the material.

He also makes the time to impress upon people how his craft is slowly fading away.

"I'm always amazed I can sit in front of a crowd without props, tell them stories, and be successful at it.

"Instead of having them look at pictures which I'd only have to explain, or acting out a story, I prefer to put the picture in their minds with my storytelling.

"That's a long-standing Inuit tradition and I'm quite proud of how people all over North America seem to enjoy my efforts."