Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Aug 06/03) - In Nunavut the preservation of traditional skills is vital to maintaining Inuit culture, but the effort can be as much fun as it is serious.

The Pulaarvik Friendship Centre is providing an opportunity for youth, aged 16 to 29, to learn the skill of bannock making.

Nadia Sammurtok and Nangmalik Ford, youth coordinators for the centre, are looking for people who are interested in acquiring the skill.

"I don't know how to make bannock myself and there are a lot of youth right now doing nothing," Ford said.

The class is taught in a traditional setting.

Participants are transported to tent city where they spend the day learning the traditional ways to prepare bannock.

"It's a good chance to go up the road," said Ford.

Instructing the classes is Helen Iguptak who is a teacher at Maani Ulujuk School.

"It's very easy to do," she said.

Iguptak said aside from being a good skill it's also quick, easy and inexpensive.

Made from flour and water, she said, depending on skill level, it only takes about a half hour to make.

"You can either fry it or put it right in caribou stew or bird broth," said Iguptak.

"It's really good for low income families."

Unfortunately, so far, Ford said they have yet to hold their first class because they haven't had enough interest.

She is hoping that more people will get involved and added that it's free and transportation is provided.

"They just have to fill out a form for insurance purposes," she said.

As well, anyone can participate, all they need is an interest in learning how to make bannock.

"They don't have to be from here, they can be from other communities or tourists," said Ford.

For more information on how to take the class call the friendship centre.