Broughton Island (Mar 29/04) - Students at Inuksuit school in Qikiqtarjuaq are stepping out of the classroom to learn traditional skills.

As part of the school's cultural program, teachers have organized day trips for students. For the past two weeks, a group of students have been learning survival skills and having fun at the same time.

Grade 9 students Lysa Kooneeliusie and Pasha Kooneeliusie were two of the students who went out on the land.

"We had a lot of fun," said Lysa.

Pasha said they learned how to build an iglu, which is a new skill for her.

Lysa agreed that making an iglu was probably the highlight of the day.

The girls said it's important for the school to have programs like these to teach the students traditional skills.

"A lot of students go out on the land." said Lysa. "They now have some skills to help them."

Phil Riggs, principal of Inuksuit school, said his mandate is to provide a well-rounded education, which includes learning the traditional skills.

"It's important for students to learn from the elders," he said. "All the kids are excited to have this opportunity." This is the first time the school has offered the land program to students. Riggs said they never had the funding until this year.

The school received a grant from Brighter Futures, which helped cover the cost of the supplies and pay the four hunters who guided the students.

Riggs said he hopes to make this a regular part of the school's curriculum, but it will depend on the funding.

"We have to have the money to offer these programs," he said.

The land trips are the second part of the school's cultural program.

In February, some students learned how to make qamutiiks and kamiiks.