Repulse Bay (Apr 24/06) - What began as a week-long exercise to learn about the land, ended in a lesson in snowmachine maintenance.

A pack of 16 people - eight of them teachers - traversed the country-side earlier this month from Iglulik to Repulse Bay and back on snowmobiles.

The teachers were on a professional improvement week to acquire land experience and a better understanding of IQ principals, said Iglulik's Ataguttaluk high school principal Brian Kenney, who was on the trip.

But the reality was more of a lesson in mechanics, and patience.

"We had a lot of machines malfunction. It was a typical trip, riddled with all kinds of different things," said Kenney.

This was the first long land trip for Ataguttaluk teacher Maren Vsetula.

"Five out of 10 machines had something wrong with them.

"We had to tow one back to Iglulik when it broke down just outside Repulse. It was interesting just how much patience was needed," she said.

Besides mechanics, the group did manage to learn land and hunting skills.

Repulse residents Laimmiki Malliki, his son Jamie and also Sandy Netseck, took members of the group out hunting at different times just outside Repulse.

Each hunt was a huge success.

"Repulse is known for all kinds of animals. It's better than Iglulik. We have all the animals they have, plus more," said Malliki.

In total the group caught five caribou.

"They took meat back with them to Iglulik because they hardly have caribou now," said Malliki.

"I think they learned a lot."

Vsetula didn't argue.

"I learned to skin a caribou, which was the highlight," she said. The teachers also learned navigation skills and how to set up camp. The group left March 25 and arrived back home April 2.

They passed briefly through Hall Beach, saying hi to the folks there both on the way to Repulse and back home again.