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 Kugaaruk students learned from their elders out on the land recently. Left to right: Marie Anguti, Benedicta Kayaitok, Christien Nalungiaq and Amaiya Emigak. Front row left to right: Ryan Inuksaq, Olivia Anguti, Manasie Anguti, Elijah Nirlungayuk, Sheldeen Emingak and Maria Qayaksark. - photos courtesy of Amaiya Emingak |
But school officials in Kugaaruk believe when their Inuit students spend time on the land learning how their ancestors survived, it's better than classwork.
That is why some Grade 7 and 8 students teamed up with elders to spend four nights out on the land March 17-21.
"The elders said every year they hear about more young people going out, and we lose our young people not through sickness but because of a lack of experience out there," said Kugaardjuk school co-principal Amaiya Emingak.
"The elders worry about their youth here and they want them to know how to survive on the land. They don't want to lose any of their youth," said Emingak. The elders committee in Kugaaruk approached the school to get students out on the land.
Once the school got permission from the parents, they went on local radio and announced it.
Everyone was excited.
Soon three girls and three boys dressed in caribou skin clothing for ultimate warmth headed out on snowmobiles with elders Christien Nalungiaq, Marie Anguti and cook Benedicta Kayaitok.
Once the students and elders arrived at Nalluajuk, their destination two hours outside of town, they built snow shelters, ate soup, bannock, caribou and fish.
"We were learning how to survive," said Dave Nalungiaq, Grade 7, whose grandfather was one of the elders on the trip. "We were using caribou skins, a snow knife. That's how we survive."
"We slept in an iglu for one night. It was cool," said Sheldeen Emingak, another student. "That was my first time sleeping in an iglu. It felt awesome. I learned how they sleep in iglus and how cold it was."
"It was fun," said the younger Nalungiaq. "My grandfather talked about ghost stories, long ago. He was talking about a man who was something like ghost."
Elijah Niriungayuk, Grade 7, said he had the most fun making blocks for the snow shelter, and admits he missed the nighttime storytelling because he fell asleep.
They learned how to read snowdrifts and find their way home, save caribou meat for the winter months in a caribou cache, and in the evenings the elders showed them how the stars can be used for navigation.
"I think it really opens their senses that they lose when they are in school all day," said Emingak.
"It opens them up to nature, and in doing so they become closer as individuals. They learn how to become friends again, how to help each other and care for each other."
It was the second time Maria Kayasark, Grade 8, had spent time on the land with elders.
"It was fun." she said. "There was lots to learn. Making those blocks so we don't get cold."
The weather was sunny the whole time, with the temperature around -40C. But she was wearing caribou skin clothing from her parents, so she didn't feel cold.
"They wanted to stay out there," said Emingak. "I am so thankful they wanted to take our youth on the land.
"There is too much TV, too much video games. It's almost like they lose their essence and what it means to be a real human to survive out there.
"The elders recognize that, and they know that going back on the land will help them become better students and help them look out for themselves and look after each other more," she said.
"The elders always say: Anirigaptigut Inuuhuktut (we cherish our youth). The respect comes out after being out on the land for that long."
