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KANGIQTUGAAPIK/CLYDE RIVER
Classes have begun at Piqqusilirivvik, Clyde River's new Inuit cultural learning centre after delays that pushed a September start date to Nov. 7.

Twenty-five students from across Nunavut are now learning at the $32-million school, despite continued delays of shipments of needed equipment and supplies.

"I think we will accomplish what we wanted," despite the late start, director Johnathan Palluq said, "because these are older students, ranging from 21 to 53 years old."

Palluq spent much of October trying to expand the applicant base beyond Clyde River. In late September, all but one applicant was from Clyde River. Of the 12 men and 13 women admitted to the program, there are two from Arviat, one from Cape Dorset, five from Hall Beach, one from Iglulik, two from Iqaluit, three from Pond Inlet, four from Repulse Bay, and seven from Clyde River.

"I wanted to learn a few things that my parents didn't have the opportunity to teach me, like building qamutik and other hunting equipment," said Dennis Tigullaraq, 26, an Iqaluit resident who grew up in Clyde River. "The facility is great, the instructors are really helpful and not shy about answering questions."

For Peter Akatsiak, 23, of Arviat, it's an engaging change from his routine at home.

"Before I took this program, every day I used to sleep and be with friends doing nothing, so today, I'm in Clyde River and I want to learn," Akatsiak said, noting that he looks forward to learning what to do on the land and ice, and how to make iglus and nets. "I want to be a hunter, learn how to survive."

The first week was hectic, Palluq said, but "classes are going quite well. Students are excited because this is the first time ever classes are delivered on Inuit culture."

Classes are almost exclusively in Inuktitut, and focus on passing on traditional knowledge that will help students survive on the land and embrace their heritage. Most supplies arrived in late September, and although students are still waiting for sewing machines, "Inuit are resourceful," he said, "so this will be part of the learning. At this moment, they have to use needles."

Speaking just after the opening ceremony with Culture, Languages, Elders and Youth Minister James Arreak Nov. 7, Palluq said, "I feel really good about what started today."

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