REPULSE BAY - A group of Grade 9 students at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay held a special feast earlier this month to thank their grandparents and elders for all they do for them.

Grade 9 students Sheeba Malliki and Pauline Kridluar, back, serve a special meal to local elders prepared by their class at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Mary Ellen Cain

The meal, prepared entirely by the students, consisted of fried char and caribou, homemade buns, bannock, salad, rice, vegetables and a variety of desserts.

Each student made invitations in both Inuktitut and English and delivered them to their guests.

After the meal, the female students led the singing while male students accompanied them on guitar.

Teacher Mary Ellen Cain said more than 30 elders attended the meal.

She said the students served the meal after spending the morning preparing it.

"Preparations had been ongoing for some time as the students thought of ways to honour the elders, especially those who are giving to us all the time," said Cain.

"I was very impressed by the class's enthusiasm to do something so special.

"Paniaq Siusangnark and Alice Nanorak spent a lot of time this fall teaching us how to prepare caribou skins, and make pants and mitts.

"We have two other elders, Simi Malliki and Mary Tinashlu, teaching sewing

and shop to some of the students."

Student Sheeba Malliki didn't mind hours of dish washing after the event.

She said she wanted to do it for the guests.

"All four of my grandparents were there, and so were my great grandma and great uncle," said Sheeba.

The elders were also quite happy with the event.

Sime joined Tinashlu and Suisangnark in congratulating everyone for a job well done.

"It was fun and I'm very thankful for our time there," said Simi.

"The songs we sang were good, the food was really good, and I was very full and happy."

Cain's mother, Dora Grant, was visiting at the time of the feast, and she was impressed by the efforts of Joey Nuluk, Ray Milortok, and D-von Siusangnark.

The three went around town on the bus to pick up elders and grandparents.

"They were so helpful," said Grant.

"They even helped me with my coat, and made sure to put a stool down at each stop to help people step onto the bus."

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