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Hanging onto culture

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (May 11/05) - There are more than 200 brand-new wall hangings adorning homes in Rankin Inlet these days, thanks to the cultural inclusion program being taught at Leo Ussak elementary school.

The school brought in highly-respected elders Mary Anawak and Eva Nukapiak to help students develop their cultural skills.

Anawak and Nukapiak started teaching the course to about 240 students in Grade 1 to Grade 4 shortly after the Christmas break.

The students averaged four classes with the elders every school week.

Leo Ussak co-principal Sarah Ayaruak said the students were excited when they found out they would each be making their very own wall hanging.

Ayaruak said Anawak and Nukapiak were joined by the school's Inuktitut teacher, Rosemary Sandy, to make the various patterns for the hangings.

She said each student was allowed to select their favourite design from patterns featuring an iglu, walrus, caribou and numerous other Kivalliq themes.

"Once they chose the pattern, the instructors traced it for them and the students got to cut it out and place it on the wall hanging with a little help from the elders," said Ayaruak.

"Our instructors pinned the pattern for them and showed the students how to stitch it correctly.

"From there, the students were shown the proper way to do the edges of the material.

"Once they were all finished with the wall hangings, they were allowed to take them home to their families before moving on to making pin cushions."

Special recognition

The school held a ceremony to present Anawak and Nukapiak with certificates of appreciation on behalf of the students for all they had learned during the program.

Ayaruak said the students are enjoying their time in the cultural inclusion program.

"During my afternoon classes, my students were always talking to me about how much they were looking forward to finishing their wall hangings.

"You could tell they were really taking pride in something they were creating by themselves.

"It's wonderful to see them really enjoying classes that focus on cultural skills."