Laura Power
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 21, 2008

IGLULIK - As the sun peeked above the horizon for the first time this year in Iglulik, residents were getting ready for the community's 12th annual Return of the Sun Festival.

"It came up early this year which was on the seventh," said Mayor Paul Quassa.

The festival took place last week starting on Monday, Jan. 14, when the re-lighting of the qulliqs took place to mark the opening of the celebration.

"Usually the sun comes up around that time, mid-January," said Quassa.

He said the beginning of the year in Iglulik has always traditionally revolved around the sun.

"The new year always starts when the sun finally comes up on the horizon, not on Jan. 1 like everyone else celebrates," he said.

When the qulliqs are lit, he said, it symbolizes a new year and the renewal of life.

During the five-day celebration, many of the town's artists and others got to put their talents to good use. On the first night, there was a drum dancing competition and some traditional dancers performing for the crowd.

"Next day we had dog team races on the sea ice where we had built an iglu," said Quassa.

Some other activities included games on the sea ice, a jigging competition, two fashion shows - one for clothing made out of caribou skin and one for more modern clothing.

"We did a talent show where we had about almost 30 participants," Quassa said. "I was surprised at how much talent we had here that evening."

During the 12 years the festival has been running, it has never had a logo. Quassa said this year they had a competition - for which the winner was announced after press time - to create a new logo.

The festival this year was also filmed by Iglulik Isuma Productions, who will use the footage to promote next year's festival.

"We hope to promote it outside of Nunavut, in Nunavut, and we'll be promoting it next year along with its new logo," he said.

At the end of the festival, plans were in place for Racheal Uyarashuk, the town's oldest elder, to light the qulliq at the closing ceremonies.