PANNIQTUUQ/PANGNIRTUNG
Margaret Nakashuk never dreamed of being a radio star, but her new show featuring interviews with elders is resonating in Pangnirtung.

Meeka Arnakaq plays a recording of her late father, Jaco Evvik, prior to telling stories at the Pangnirtung radio station as part of an initiative by Margaret Nakashuk. - photo courtesy of Margaret Nakashuk

"I'm not very good at saying things myself when it comes to Inuktitut terminologies, or saying things right," Nakashuk said. "I don't even think my voice is right for it, but I just feel it's important Inuit learn our history, our culture, our language, learning about our ancestors, and I know people are eager to know more about the connections from the older days."

Since Thanksgiving, she has spent each Tuesday night, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., on the community radio. The first show was an open call-in show. But since the second week of the show, she has focused on interviewing an elder and giving them a chance to share their thoughts.

Manasa Evic was first.

"We talked about his upbringing and old days outside of Pangnirtung," she said. "Hunting areas he went to. Some Inuktitut words he feels should be said correctly, some words we say today in Inuktitut that don't really make sense, but we tend to use shortcuts or shorter versions of saying things. It was an open discussion on what he felt."

The following week, Meeka Arnakaq recalled her family's past and told stories.

The show will focus on different topics, including "parenting, healthy lifestyles, child-rearing, social issues, education, hunting, hunting grounds, Inuktitut words that are not used anymore," Nakashuk said.

The idea came to her several years ago, but stayed on the backburner.

"The important part of this is giving the elders a chance to speak their minds," she said, "and it will give a chance for the younger generation to learn more about where they come from, the importance of family, Inuktitut words, learning different hunting techniques. They share stories with their family and grandchildren, but there are some families that would like to hear stories like that, about family connections, who they're related to, which families came from which camps."

She was inspired by her father, Joanasie Karpik, who grew up in outpost camps.

"A lot of stories I hear from the elders make me think how we could use those tools in today's living, not just in practices, but in our beliefs and how we view things in life, how we respond to different conversations and dealing with people."

Qikiqtani Inuit Association funding, valued at $6,400, pays for elders to appear, user fees for the radio station, and for prizes for callers competing with funny stories or kids singing through the radio.

"I've been getting a lot of calls from elders who want to take part in it," she said. "There's been a lot of support from the community and what they would like to hear. The elders are excited, and it's quite exciting because our local radio time doesn't run long enough during the day. That was why I wanted to have some time in the evening to just have the elders talk."

The program is funded to run until May or June, and Nakashuk hopes to apply for even more funding next year to increase the air time. She says once a week is not enough for her show's fans.

"People are wanting to hear more and elders are responding well to it, calling me at home or at the radio station," she said. "It's not enough time to have it running once a week."