INUVIK - When Jimmy Kalinek watched the Barrow Dancers of Alaska give one of many dazzling drum dancing performances during the Northern Games in Inuvik last summer, he said chills shot up his spine.

"It was such a special feeling to see all those young guys dancing and I said to myself 'I can do that.'" said Kalinek. "I always wanted to keep the tradition going."

A group of Inuvik residents who will be representing their culture and NWT at the Olympics in Vancouver pause for a photo with a few of their supporters at Sunday afternoon's send off ceremony. Back row, Jimmy Kalinek (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Patrick Gruben (Inuvik Drum Dancer) and Edward Lennie. Middle row, Kendra Elanik (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Keenan Carpenter (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Jayda Sttichinli (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Mary Ann Ross, Shae-Lyn Allen (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Ethel Gruben, Tamara Voudrach (youth ambassador), Annie Aleekuk, Lorna Elias, Robin Carpenter and Abel Tingmiak (Blanket Toss) and Hans Lennie (Blanket Toss). Front, Gerard Rogers, Glen Rogers (baby), Hester Inuaslurak (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Vanessa Kasook (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Alainna Carpenter (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Delanie Elias (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Olivia Lennie (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Tegan Allen (Inuvik Drum Dancer), Billie Lennie (Inuvik Drum Dancer) and Nellie Cournoyea. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

Inspired, he joined the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers. Starting last September, he dedicated time to learning the music and movements. He watched and studied countless performances on his laptop. And after becoming a member of the group, he's still training to perfect his craft.

"I would show up to practise and I'd know two or three songs and they would think this guy means business."

On Sunday, an Olympic send-off celebration was held at the Midnight Sun Complex for Kalinek and his fellow members of the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers as well as several Northern Games athletes, traditional artists and ambassadors who are among a team of about 100 Inuvikmiut who will be representing the town and the NWT at events during the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Founding Northern Games members Nellie Cournoyea and Edward Lennie were among the dignitaries who spoke at the event, which also included mayor Denny Rodgers and Gwich'in Tribal Council vice- president Mary Ann Ross.

They reminded the performers they wouldn't just be participating in a dance or a sport; each would be displaying the essence of who they are and where they come from.

"A lot of times people don't know that they can see you through the culture and a demonstration that is so unique and wonderful that they haven't seen anywhere," said Cournoyea to the group. "You're a very big part of how far we've come.

"You're interpreting things from your heart, when you're dancing and you're singing. When you participate in the games, there's a relationship historically when the strength of an individual was so important."

Lennie talked about his pride in seeing the Northern Games come so far from its modest beginnings in 1970. He also paid tribute to the late Roy Ipana, an original Northern Games athlete. Lennie said Ipana would have undoubtedly expressed his great pride at Sunday's event if he were alive. Even though Lennie said he couldn't be in Vancouver, "I'm going to be watching," he said.

His granddaughter Olivia Lennie said that made her happier than anything else she heard during the event. In fact, there's a simple reason why she can't wait to perform at the Olympics.

"I like when people watch me," she said with a smile.

As for Kalinek he plans to stick with drum dancing well after the Olympics.

"It reflects our way of life," he said. "It tells the stories of hunting and fishing, trapping. It makes me feel so good. It drives me and I'll be in it for the long haul."