Rankin Inlet (Oct 25/04) - A group of Rankin Inlet youth joined a youth leader in learning the art of drum-making earlier this month.

Noah Tiktak is the youth co-ordinator for the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre in Rankin.

Tiktak said he always wanted to learn the proper way to make his own drum.

And once he decided to learn the craft, he figured he might as well have a group of youth join him.

"I thought it would be a better experience if I had a group of youth learn with me and do a little to get them more in touch with their culture," said Tiktak.

"The course was a very satisfying experience and everyone was quite happy with their finished effort."

Joining Tiktak on the drum-making course were Thomas Tiktak Jr., Aaron Autut, Jim Papak, Arsene Kaput and Aaron Angidlik.

The program was delivered by Lorne Pissuk and ran from Oct. 12-19 at the Nunavut Arctic College trade shop.

Pissuk and his brother Paul are well-known in the community for their drum-making abilities.

Tiktak said after the group had completed the course, everyone gathered to practise with their new drums.

He said the group was led by the instructor's wife, Rosalie Pissuk.

"It was a really good feeling to watch the five participants drum dance with traditional instruments they made themselves.

"Rosalie gave everyone a bit of history on the drum dance and we all promised to get together every now and then to practise.

"I didn't want them to just learn how to build the drum and then forget about it. The drum is far too important to our culture for that."