RANKIN INLET - Students at Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin Inlet are benefiting from the increased focus on traditional learning this year.

Anna Katulak can't believe how easily elder Eva Nukapiak fixes a sewing booboo during a traditional sewing class at Leo Ussak Elementary School in Rankin Inlet earlier this month. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The school partnered with the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre this month to host a special sewing class for Grade 4 girls and a qamutiik class for the boys.

Pulaarvik executive director George Dunkerley said because of Leo Ussak cultural counsellor Noah Tiktak's relationship with the centre, the program was delivered without any centre staff involvement.

He said funding for the program was made possible through the Department of Canadian Heritage's Cultural Connections for Aboriginal Youth program.

"The centre loves being involved in these programs because they reintroduce Inuit youth to their traditions and culture through interacting with the elders," said Dunkerley.

"In a school setting, the program also introduces non-Inuit students to Inuit culture and traditions.

"The feedback we've received on these programs has been really positive.

"It allows cultural inclusion to take place in classes where it otherwise wouldn't."

Dunkerley said centre staff have worked with most elders in the community for many years and are well-aware of their specific skills.

He said the schools and the centre are always on the same page when it comes to which elders are selected.

"Sometimes the schools will come to us with specific elders in mind.

"Other times school staff come to us with an idea and we go back with the name of an elder who can teach it."

Dunkerley said about 40 per cent of his youth program budget has gone into school programming this year.

He said that usually only accounts for about 25 per cent of the budget.

"The increase is due mainly to the fact our programming has been shorter in duration this year.

"It normally runs from April to March, but, with hold-ups at Heritage this year, it didn't start until October.

"So we have to maximize our efforts, and a school program will have about 30 kids involved as opposed to an after-school program that might attract 10 to 12.

"With the increased focus on cultural programming in the schools, this has also worked really well for them."

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