NAUJAAT
The focus was on Inuit heritage for the student body at Tusarvik School in Naujaat earlier this month.

Grade 7 students Darryl Angotingoar, Angelina Siusangnark and Emily Qaunaq wait for their project on traditional tattooing to be judged during the Heritage Fair at Tusarvik School in Naujaat - photo courtesy of Julia MacPherson

The students took part in the annual Heritage Fair on May 5, which a former teaching couple started at Tusarvik a few years ago.

Vice-principal Julia MacPherson said every teacher is asked to create a heritage project based on Inuit culture.

She said the teachers work with their classes on the project for about a month to create projects on Inuit hunting tools and techniques, myths and legends, traditional wall hangings, throatsinging, what makes an ulu, Inuit games and country food, among others.

"It was a good chance for the teachers from the south to learn more about Inuit culture and display their projects in the gym," said MacPherson.

"The following day, May 6, we held our yearly Heritage Day.

"The school was broken into groups with activity stations for the students to attend.

"Students in kindergarten to Grade 3 visited stations all morning consisting of drum dancing, ayaya singing, Inuit games and storytelling."

MacPherson said students in Grades 4 to 6 visited stations consisting of Inuit games, Inuit Heritage Jeopardy, wall hangings, sewing, qulliq lighting and storytelling.

She said students in Grades 7 to 9 paid a visit to stations of wall hangings, the Never Alone video game from Greenland, Heritage Jeopardy and making bannock and caribou stew.

"In the afternoon, all our students from kindergarten to Grade 9 were invited down on the ice to partake in games like tug of war, kite flying, ice fishing and sliding.

"We also treated them to caribou stew and hot chocolate.

"The high school students went on the land to fish and hunt, and everyone had a great time."

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