Iqaluit (Dec 08/03) - A special culture and traditions day for Grade 8 and 9 students at Inuksuk high school last week gave students a chance to immerse themselves in Nunavut culture.

In a seal skin pullover, Markoosie Qaunirq drum danced with skill and heart. - Kathleen Lippa/NNSL photo

Jimmy Ipeelie, Nadine Anilniliak and Michael Tulujak were all for it, crowding into the traditional clothing room, eagerly trying on kamiks, caribou skin mittens and warm, stylish parkas made of seal or caribou skin.

Mona Netser was on hand to translate for an elder who made many of the traditional clothes on display there.

When the seamstress called in sick however, Netser agreed to take over the sessions for the day, helping the students pull the parkas on and off and making sure the clothing was cared for.

Co-organized by teachers and cultural committee members Romeyn Stevenson and Wende Tulke, the school has been holding such a day for the last three years.

"There is a lot of talk from the government and people in power that there should be more emphasis on Inuit culture in school," said Stevenson. "But there is often not a lot of backing for that. We set up this committee to make things happen."

The clothing was just one of many classes students could explore, including traditional Inuit dance and a session on Inuit myths, bannock making, string games, leg wrestling and even a harpoon toss. A mock seal was set up outside and students took turns throwing a harpoon at it.

Stevenson thinks such events are essential to keep students interested in school.

"The students need to see Inuit culture in the school so they can feel comfortable with it, so that it's part of their daily lives," he said.

"Just the exposure to it in the school setting makes the school seem not so much a southern institution as it is part of their lives."