Iqaluit (Feb 28/05) - The lessons were as diverse as the people taking them last week during the first-ever Nunavut Teacher's Conference that brought an astounding 550 educators from every community in Nunavut to Iqaluit from Feb. 21-25.

Caroline Ottokie, a Grade 6 teacher from Cape Dorset, was one of a dozen teachers who learned how to make ice cream during a fun session offered by Jim Kreuger from Baker Lake.

Other educators took lessons in badminton from experts in the game.

There was iglu making across the street from Inuksuk high school.

Dick Smith of Iqaluit gave a session on guns and ammunition that was well attended by just as many women as men.

Millie Kuliktana, director of Kitikmeot school operations in Kugluktuk, and a well-known crusader for the Inuinnaqtun language, remarked it was good to see people she had either never met before, or hadn't seen for five, 10, 20 years or more.

There was lots of hugging and exchange of phone numbers, from Grise Fiord to Sanikiluaq to Taloyoak.

Ed Picco, education minister, was busy with the opening of the legislative assembly, but addressed the teachers twice and took their questions.

Word-of-mouth spread news the fastest about events deemed really cool, such as the seal skin kamiik making (a last minute addition), and the presentation by the Arviat elders who were at Joamie school.

Many sessions and events were cancelled due to a blizzard that shut down Iqaluit on Wednesday afternoon and all day Thursday.

But many of the best "sessions" were held in the bars of Iqaluit after 5 p.m. each day.

Conference participants got free passes to the Iqaluit Legion, but were also seen hogging tables at the Storehouse and the Navigator's Chartroom Lounge.

But for those who liked to get a good night's sleep each night and get a jump on the day, there were early morning yoga classes and lane swims at the pool.

It cost about $1 million to pull off the event that had educators attending sessions in Inuksuk high school, Nakasuk school and the new Joamie school.

There were about 180 different sessions and everyone who attended enjoyed the event.

Nunavut has a total of 617 teachers.