Fort McMurray, Alta (Mar 08/04) - A group of singers and dancers performing thousands of kilometres away from their Nunavut home town just might help to revive their dying way of life.

That's what Mary Piercey, the musical director of the Arviat Imngitingit (Inuktitut for singers), who were brought to Fort McMurray as cultural performers during the Arctic Winter Games, is hoping.

"It gives them a sense of pride in their heritage and it makes them want to learn more," said Piercey after performing for the umpteenth time in the southern city.

The group of nine singers and drummers were put together three years ago in an effort by the District Education Authority to stem the loss of Inuit culture in Nunavut.

The group of teenagers never learned throat singing or drumming from their families in Arviat. Instead, they learn it from Karen Panigoniak and elder Eva Aupak.

They are quick learners. At a reception during the Games, the guttural sounds coming from the throats of the teens silenced the noisy crowd, wowing them with songs of competition, love and nature.

Piercey says the existence of the group and all the opportunities it brings them is enough to spur young people's interest about the distinctness of their culture.

"The youth aren't usually interested in what their elders have done in the past. Now there has been a resurgence of the traditions," she says.

The group wore traditional white amutiqs, kamiiks and beads while on stage. They enter in a straight line, singing soulful songs of their heritage, some even written by other youngsters in Arviat.

"Not many people do the things we do now," says Odie Tagalik, 17.

"It's a way to keep our culture alive," she says.

Tagalik, along with 16-year-old Natasha Tattuinee, haven't quite picked up the art of throat singing. They leave that to Joy Illungiayok and Frieda Nibgoarsi.

The girls say they practised twice a week to prepare for their trip to Fort McMurray. It was well worth the hard work, they say.

When Tattuinee stepped onstage in front of athletes, parents and Games participants and heard the awesome reaction to their performance, she was blown away. All she could say was "whoa."

After performing daily during the week-long Games, the crew was tired and some kids were sick. Their awesome effort wasn't ignored though, as Games participants took some Inuit culture back to their home towns.