Inuvik (Sep 03/04) - The Cafe Gallery was abuzz with excitement Saturday with the opening of "A day in the life... a selection of photography from Inuvik's youth."

Featuring photographs from 23 of the community's young people, the exhibition provides an interesting window into the participant's lives.

"I think it's pretty cool," said 11-year-old Rebecca Baxter of her photograph of her mother's moccasins. "Because this (photo) is about my tradition."

So why did she choose moccasins to illustrate her culture?

"My grandmother made them and I think they are awesome," replied Baxter.

Janet Ip, a visiting physician from Vancouver who came to Inuvik for two months to complete a portion of her residency here, was the catalyst for the show.

Needs of teens

In her efforts to make a documentary about youth in Inuvik, with the goal of educating other health care professionals coming to work in the North about the needs of teens living in isolated communities, Ip handed out disposable cameras to project participants.

"I thought that the photographs would be a good starting point for discussions with the youth about what was important to them," said Ip. "Then a friend suggested we do an exhibition of the most interesting results and offered to organize it."

Images range from landscapes, still life and portraits, and though participants had no artistic pretensions prior to taking the pictures, many seemed pleased at their results displayed on the Cafe Gallery's wall.

"I think it was a good experience because the youth get to express themselves," said 15-year-old Brandi Lemishka, whose close-up of a zucchini plant was chosen for the show. "I like my picture and we're going to frame one for our new house."

Lemishka, who spent much of her summer working at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, says she wants to follow a horticultural career path and took all of her photos at the greenhouse.

While space considerations limited the number of photographs that could be exhibited, an interesting album of outtakes was compiled, adding another dimension to the show.

The photographs will remain on display at the Cafe Gallery through September.