Repulse Bay. (Mar 15/06) - Traditional learning continues to rise in popularity among students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay.

The school is a regional leader with its traditional-skills programming.

Tusarvik staff have worked hard to make up for some lost time this year.

It was hard to attract an instructor earlier in the school year because the community was so involved with the bowhead hunt.

That all changed with the arrival of David Nuluk as a traditional-skills instructor.

Principal Leonie Aissaoui says Nuluk has been excited about working with the students since his first day.

"David (Nuluk) has been on the land his whole life and is very skilled and knowledgable," says Aissaoui.

"He found good snow behind the school and the students have been taking turns with him, in groups of two or three, learning to build a small iglu.

"I want all the Grade 7 to Grade 9 boys to do it."

A larger iglu behind the school has become popular for a different reason.

Tusarvik has students taking turns visiting elders Alice Nanorak and Susan Mablik in the iglu.

Aissaoui says a visit to the iglu has become something to really look forward to among the youth.

"The students get to hear stories and play traditional games and they've really been enjoying it.

"They especially like to hear stories about life on the land during the past."

While some students are still waiting to build an iglu, the school has already started another program with great success.

The students take turns going out on the land with Nuluk to learn survival skills and how to hunt caribou.

Best friends Devin Aviugana and Jordan Tinashlu made the trip with Nuluk.

They returned triumphantly to the community with two caribou.

The meat was brought to the school the next day for people to stop by and pick up.

Aviugana said the trip was a great experience.

"I got a little cold, but I was still hoping the day would never end," said Aviugana.

"I will always remember this trip because I got to hunt with my best friend, Jordan"