Daron Letts
Northern News Services

Gjoa Haven (Sep 28/05) - A German documentary film crew travelled across Nunavut this month as part of a circumpolar tour that follows the Arctic circle from Point Hope, Alaska, to Ammassalik in Greenland. They made several stops in the territory to film the distinctive culture, wildlife and geography.

"We're meeting people in the communities and hearing their stories," said German filmmaker Barbara Biemann. "So far we have filmed about 22 hours of videotape."

Director Klaus Scherer shot two days of classes at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik high school in Gjoa Haven.

The school organized a schedule packed with the kinds of traditional instruction the students participate in every week.

"We were interested in seeing what the students learn and how they learn," Biemann said.

Elders and craftspeople led classes in kayak building, hide preparation, sewing, throatsinging and drum dancing. The students also played some Arctic games.

"We try to incorporate traditional practices in all subjects," said principal Jonathan Bird.

In science classes, for example, elders demonstrate how to skin and prepare caribou or seal meat and hides. They take time to teach the students about the animal's internal anatomy and what uses can be made of its different parts on the land.

The film crew focused on Grade 11 students Bernice Tavalok and Hannaq Ikkutisluk.

The students had a child together last winter, but are committed to continuing their education. A portion of the documentary will depict a day in their busy lives.

The Germans also filmed muskox in Kugluktuk, polar bears in Qikiqtarjuaq and the musical stylings of Iqaluit's Jimmy Echo, aka the Arctic Elvis, interviewing elders and other community members along the way.

Director Klaus Scherer will turn his footage into two 45-minute documentaries for broadcast on Germany's largest public TV network next spring.

It will air across Europe via satellite.

"We are sending DVD copies of the documentary to the communities where we've filmed," Biemann said.