Iqaluit (May 23/05) - Isaac Temela was born in Iqaluit but grew up in Kimmirut. Now, 25 years later, he is back to his place of birth.

The 26-year-old has been working as a labourer in the capitol for the last 13 months, but his thoughts are never far from the small community just to the south.

Isaac Temela was born in Iqaluit but raised in Kimmirut. He describes it as a small town, a "paradise," where people hunt often and also carve a lot. He moved back to Iqaluit 13 months ago.

"It's like paradise," he said of Kimmirut in the spring time.

He does not hunt while in Iqaluit, but back home would often go after ptarmigan, geese, seals and even beluga whales.

In Kimmirut, says Temela, they use a gun and a harpoon when whale hunting, which he describes as "awesome."

"Shoot it first," Temela said, "When it starts floating you use the harpoon."

The harpoon is attached by cord to a five galloon tank, which floats and keeps the animal from sinking.

Like hunting, Temela left his carving hobby in Kimmirut.

He began crafting sculptures when he was nine, taught by his uncles Iola and Nalinik.

"They were famous carvers," he said with fondness, recalling how they taught him to carve walrus, seals and the "dancing bear."

His uncles showed him how to gather black and green stones, "from the saltwater sea," when the tide was down. Surprisingly, this is not the most difficult way to gather materials for Temela and the people of Kimmirut.

At the age of 12 he was first taken out to gather soapstone, at a site five days from town by boat.

"We have to shovel at least 30 feet down from the top for three or four days," Temela said. His elders would know, from previous years, where the soapstone could be found under the earth.

He and 10 other men would haul back thousands of pounds of stone for carving, an art which is prolific in Kimmirut says Temela.

For now, he is thinking of trying his hand as a heavy equipment operator and saving some money while in Iqaluit.

One day he hopes to own his own business.