IQALUIT - Anyone wanting to learn Inuktitut while playing might be interested in a new product - 16 wooden blocks with Northern images and Inuktitut syllabics designed by an Iqaluit couple.

A set of 16 wooden blocks with Northern images and Inuktitut syllabics was created by Franco Buscemi so his children could learn the language, but he said people of all ages have been interested in the 1.5 inch blocks. - photo courtesy of Franco Buscemi

Franco and Mary Buscemi designed the blocks for their children after an unsuccessful search for Inuktitut books for preschoolers.

Each of the 16 1.5-inch wooden blocks contains three syllabics, such as i, pi, ti, ki, and three icons that are relevant to Inuit and the Arctic, such as ulus, narwhals and berries.

"We really just wanted the availability of these blocks and hopefully books that people can buy for themselves at home because a lot of the resources available right now in Inuktitut are not easily accessible to homes.

You have to either make them or improvise with English or French materials," said Franco. The Buscemis' four children have been playing with a prototype set for about two years. Franco said they thought it was important for their children to visualize Inuktitut because a lot of signs are only in English.

"We've practised identifying the images, spelling things out or even just using them as building blocks," he said.

A set retails for $60 and Franco said they've sold 600 to 700 sets to people from all ages and backgrounds, including 500 to the territorial government which provided some of the start-up funds. He added it costs $47 to make the blocks.

"We haven't been really approaching this as a business very much," he said. "As long as we have been able to cover our costs, this has been our goal.

"It's just been an important project for us to undertake and making a profit out (of it) hasn't been a priority."

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