ARVIAT - Students at Qitiqliq Middle School in Arviat enjoyed some time learning traditional skills with the elders out on the land earlier this month.

Trevor Kigusiutnak works with a pana during an iglu program at Qitiqliq Middle School in Arviat earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Eric Anoee

The iglu project is a popular program with the 162 students registered in Grade 6 to 8 at the school, as is Qitiqliq's practical arts program.

Principal Doreen Hannak said the school's elder plays an important role in Qitiqliq's traditional learning programs.

She said practical arts are offered to the students in every grade for at least two classes every seven-day cycle.

"With our practical arts program, the staff will offer Inuit games or sewing, for example, and our students can also take guitar lessons or traditional or modern cooking," said Hannak.

"The programming varies in what they can take, and the students can switch from one activity to another at least three times a school year.

"We look forward to doing the iglu project outside of town every year, near the water reservoir.

"We hire elders, bus the students out and they get to take part in numerous activities, both inside and outside of the iglu, such as cooking, making bannock, drum dancing, skin preparation, storytelling, making snow blocks, learning to make shelters and recognizing the different types of snow."

Hannak said she was disappointed when someone ruined the two iglus for this year's project, just as her students were getting ready to begin.

She said it was decided the program had to continue, so it was done with tents instead of the traditional iglu.

"What happened was sad, but we continued with tents because everyone was looking forward to the project so much.

"Our elementary school principal, Bob Wells, and I work together so the iglu project continues on.

"The activities are a little different because our students are older.

"Even the high school students, if they want to take part, can carry on after our schools are done."

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