Rankin Inlet (Oct 08/03) - The community of Rankin Inlet did its part in celebrating Nunavut Literacy Week from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4.

More than 800 students, school staff and community members took time out from their busy days to take part in the Read for 15 Challenge on Oct. 1.

Leo Ussak elementary school co-principal Harold Goobie said his school had about 330 students and staff participate in the Read for 15 challenge.

He said LUI even held a second 15-minute reading session later in the day so the afternoon kindergarten class could participate.

"You could tell the kids really enjoyed sitting down and reading a book of their own choosing," said Goobie.

"It was quiet as a mouse in the school for that 15 minutes."

Adult students play major role

Nunavut Literacy Week activities are far from the private domain of the community's school-aged children.

In fact, the Rankin Inlet Community Learning Centre is one of the most happening places to be during the week.

Adult educator Gerry Pfluegar said this year's activities included a Scrabble tournament, movie screenings, a distinctly Inuit take on the popular game show Wheel of Fortune that children's author Michael Kusugak developed, and a phone-in radio show featuring stories being told over the airwaves.

Pfluegar said the Nunavut Literacy Week activities were a joint effort between the Community Learning Centre, the Department of Education and the Nunavut Literacy Council.

"We always have our sleeves rolled up for Nunavut Literacy Week," said Pfluegar.

"We try to have something happening during every day of the week.

"Of course, pretty much everything we do here at the learning centre is related to literacy, so the week of activities is a real natural for us."

Pfluegar said even though family commitments made it difficult, a number of learning-centre students even made the time to come out for evening activities.

"Our students really understand the importance of literacy and learning in their lives.

"They realize the opportunities that can come your way when you develop literacy skills in both English and Inuktitut."