Aklavik (Aug 25/03) - The secret to a good drum dance is in the transmission -- directly between elder and youth.

And that's where the Aklavik Delta Drummers and Dancers excel because there is an enthusiastic bunch of experienced dancers passing on their tradition to today's youth.

Although the group has been around for years, it was inactive for some time but has returned with new enthusiasm.

The more than 30 young and experienced participants have been drumming and dancing since Jan. 2003, after getting a grant from the Canadian Council for the Arts.

The grant paid for a set of traditional parkas and practice time every Tuesday and Thursday. And the practice has paid off. The group's performances are dynamic, interactive and powerfully detailed tributes to the lives of their ancestors -- hunting, trapping and harvesting.

"The dances were a big celebration ... done when good things happened," said Jerome Gordon, volunteer co-ordinator and vice chair for the Aklavik District Education Council.

Gordon said the group is especially important for the youth. He's seen a great improvement not only in their dancing but in members' attitudes.

Last month, they performed in Ottawa during Canada Day festivities.

To go to Ottawa the selected youth had to demonstrate respect for the dances they were performing, respect school, their community, elders and family, said Gordon.

"Under those conditions I saw a change in those kids. I saw them grow in those five months."

In the end, eight youth and three adult chaperons spent several days dancing and drumming throughout the city streets.

It was the group's first performance in a large city and before a large crowd.

"Right away the crowd just grew and grew. They followed us where ever we went," said Gordon.

"For some of them it was their first time going to a large city."

Gordon, and volunteer Faye Gordon hope to take the group for more public performances at the Inuit Circumpolar Conference in 2005 and the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Right now the drummers and dancers are taking a well-earned vacation but will probably return to the dance floor in November.