Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 19, 2007

RESOLUTE - Students at Qarmartalik school in Resolute take learning from their elders seriously.

On a regular basis, a number of the town's elders visit the school to participate in various cultural activities with the students.

Josie and Martha Enuaraq use stories to teach students basic human values and the benefits of sharing in Inuit society. They are just two of the elders who regularly participate in activities with students at Qarmartalik school in Resolute - photo courtesy of Brian Manning

Together, the young and old sew, bead, make tools, tell stories and read in Inuktitut. They also participate in on-the-land activities together.

The exchange fits two principles of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit. The first is pijitsirarniq, roughly translated into serving, and the second is pilimnaksarniq, or skills and knowledge acquisition.

Dora Pudluk, a community counsellor at the school, spends two hours each day teaching Inuktitut. This fall she began beading with the students. Together they make coasters, wall hangings, headbands for throat singers and necklaces. She especially enjoys making beaded hearts to give to the students. While they bead, Pudluk tells the students traditional stories.

The beading is used as a form of healing, Pudluk said through an interpreter. It is a chance for students with problems to talk and express their concerns and feelings. When they don't give up on something, they have success, Pudluk said.

The activities grew out of a monthly tea that the students would serve to the elders years ago.

"The elders provide a service by sharing their knowledge, expertise and background with our students. Our students provide a service to our elders by listening and learning," said Brian Manning, the school's principal. "They came to want to spend even more time with the students ... our elders have a lot of knowledge and a lot of it is knowledge that isn't written down ... it is important to give them the opportunity to share their knowledge with the next generation."

As the elders pass on their skills, they take time to teach the students the history of the 55-year-old community and how they adapted and survived in their new surroundings following resettlement.

"It's a living history that they are able to share," Manning said, adding that it's important for students to know their roots.

Both parties enjoy the exchange Manning said. The students listen quietly when the elders speak and then ask questions. The elders look forward to coming to the school to share their stories and skills. As proof, Manning was at a school meeting last week when he said he was approached by an elder, asking when the next event would take place.