KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET - Elders give a lot to the community but sometimes their contributions go unheralded.

To thank elders for all they've done, Peter Pitseolak school in Cape Dorset held an elders appreciation night on May 22.

Neevee Tapaungai, Makituk Pingwatok, Sheujuk Toonoo, Piulia Atsiaq and Saggiatuk Saggiatuk keep their eyes trained on a game of makittaq during an elders appreciation night in Cape Dorset. - photo courtesy of Chris Jenkins

"It was fun and something different to do," said 15-year-old Megan Ross, one of five students who helped during the evening as part of the Grade 10 culture class.

"Everything went very, very well," said school principal Ed Sheppard.

Invitations were sent to the community's elders, numbering more than 90. A school bus went to each of the elders' homes to provide a special pickup service to take them back to the school for an evening filled with activities.

The evening marked the second elders appreciation night, following an inaugural event in November. About 42 elders showed up for this round, compared to 74 for the first round.

School principal Ed Sheppard said that the decrease in numbers may have been due to the nice fishing weather in the community.

Students served finger foods including a fruit tray, cheese and crackers as starters.

"We served them beef stew and it was delicious and many of them had seconds," said Sheppard.

After dessert, it was time for the fun to begin.

One of the games was a bean bag toss, where participants got points and raked in the most points when they could throw the bean bag through a suspended ring.

For those who felt a little less active, students also brought around games like checkers to be played at the comfort of a table.

The event was filled with fun and prizes as well, with a large Thermos bottle as a door prize and useful draw prizes including cooking dishes, a teapot, and towels.

With all the events in place, students got to spend quality time with the elders.

"Of course the interaction with the young people and the elders is always a rewarding experience," said Sheppard.

Headed up by teacher Blake MacMillan, Inuit language teacher Kulua Simeonie, and student support assistants Saliqqi Ashevak and Alasua Saggaik, the event was supported by the local district education authority and was an initiative of the culture program.

Students Megan Ross and Eva Samayualie both helped serve the elders their meals on elders appreciation night and the two agreed that the elders enjoyed the event.

"It also lets the elders know that they aren't really forgotten and that we do appreciate them. We've enjoyed those two (elders appreciation nights) so much we'll certainly be planning one in the fall," said Sheppard.