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KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET - Charlie Pee is the only student participating in the Teaching Youth how to Carve Course at the Qavavau Aningmiuq Sikusiilaq Youth Center in Cape Dorset who didn't create a soapstone inukshuk early in the program.

Pee made a duck instead and then sold it at the West Baffin Eskimo Co-op for $65.

Instructor Palaya Qaitsuk supervises Rose Roswell with caution. This was Roswell's first time using the powerful grinder tool. - photo courtesy of Cheryl Constantineau

The two master carvers instructing the course seemed impressed.

"That was a good price for a young carver," said instructor Palaya Qiatsuk with a chuckle.

Instuctor Toonoo Sharky told Pee that he sold his first carving for just $5 or $10.

The carving program at the youth centre, which started in mid-July, runs for three hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Anywhere from 15 to 25 students attend the classes each night.

"It's very heartwarming to see the kids take part in this," said hamlet recreation director Cheryl Constantineau. "I am hoping we will be able to access this funding again next to continue this course."

The municipality received about $10,000 from the Department of Culture, Language, Elders and Youth to develop and deliver the 20-week traditional carving course for ages nine to 17.

Each student receives five files and has access to other hand tools such as axes and saws throughout the program. All the tools will be retained by the youth centre following the completion of the program so they can be used again next year.

The students also receive one-on-one training with a small power grinder.

After starting with an inukshuk, the students have now moved on to work on a second carving. A few students are already onto their third carving.

Students are working on dancing bears, loons and other birds and abstract spirit carvings.

"I'm very happy with the results we're getting," Qiatsuk said. "I think they'll produce more of their own ideas. That's my goal, to have them work on their own idea."

Qiatsuk began carving at age 12, taught by his father, the late carver and printmaker Lukta Qiatsuk.

"I'm very honoured to give my technique and I'm doing my best to give them my knowledge," he said.

Qiatsuk's common-law partner, Mary Mathewsie, is also helping as a volunteer by helping prepare the tools and stone and assisting the students. Youth centre staff prepare snacks and help out, as well.

"Community support has been great," Constantineau said. "A lot of parents have come out to watch their children carve."

The course may soon include a third Saturday class to shorten the length of the program to avoid the cold weather in the fall. The youth centre will offer a toolmaking course in September, in which young people will be taught to make ulus, spear heads and other traditional implements