Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Sep 26/05) - The vision of Rankin Inlet's elder statesman and respected elder, Ollie Ittinuar, came to fruition on the land this past week.

More than 100 people made the trek out to the Thule Site to watch Ittinuar officially open a traditional sod house he and nine other workers constructed on the land.

Ittinuar designed the house and oversaw the construction work of Sonny Ittinuar, Thomas Suvissak, Densis Kaput, Joseph Nakoolak, Jerry Ell, Simon Twyee, Lanny Okpatauyak, Samuel Ayaruak and Clifford Kaput.

Ittinuar's wife, Lizzie, directed the sewing of caribou skins for the roof.

She was joined in the task by Maggie Akerolik, Savikok Ningeocheak, Adele Angidlik and Meekalee Naulalik.

Ittinuar first approached hamlet council during the summer of 2004 about the project.

Hamlet staff managed to secure $16,000 from Economic Development and Tourism through the Community Initiatives program.

Another $2,440 was spent on the project through hamlet equity.

The traditional sod house had already become a hot tourist attraction before its completion, and Ittinuar envisions the day when numerous pieces of Inuit heritage and tradition are displayed at the site.

Addressing the gathering in Inuktitut (translated in English by Mayor Lorne Kusugak), Ittinuar said he was proud of the effort that went into construction of the sod house.

"I would like to thank hamlet council for moving so fast on my idea," Ittinuar told the gathering. "The traditional sod house is the start of what I hope will become a much-bigger project here in the future."

Numerous prizes were given away at the opening, which Kusugak described as a special day for Rankin Inlet.

"What we have here is a glimpse into Inuit history and tradition," said Kusugak.

"Hopefully, the day will come when people can visit this site and also see an iglu, kayak and numerous other items representing the various stages of Inuit history."