Last Friday we had the opportunity to go to Ulaajuk Elementary School for their cultural day. This included game such as handball, baseball, high kick, throat singing, square dancing, bannock making and our favourite - face painting. Sarah was first stationed at the outdoor games but eventually got too cold and had to join Emily face painting. Some of the kids requests included: inukshuk's, ulu (women's knife), narwhal, and tribal designs. There we met three high school girls who were also helping out to make their community hours. The kids were all so cute and so excited! We sampled some fresh bannock that was made by the elders outside in a tent. Unfortunately we were unable this year to actually teach at the elementary school but after talking with the teachers and meeting the kid's they seem anxious for QHO's return.
This week at Nasivvik High School we taught about leadership. Topics included: teamwork, trust, and communication. The kids particularly like this week because it involved a lot of games and interaction. We prepared a small feast for Donna's grade 8 students of all our left over food. They ate canned chicken, rice, quinoa with brown-sugar and pecans, and dried fruit.We weren't sure how well this would go over but they ate a ton! With some classes we made collages of ourselves and our role models to decorate the halls of the school. They worked really hard on them and were very proud to have them displayed. It was sad to teach our last class and the kids made us promise to remember them, although on the contrary they will be impossible to forget.
Yesterday was a school assembly to reward good attendance and volunteer appreciation around the school. Some students received certificates and gift cards. Unexpectedly Charlie (the principal) presented us with Nasivvik t-shirts which we wore the next day. Julia, the grade 8 teacher showed the school a short video of her grade 8 boys out on the land trip. This was a very well done movie and showed the boys seal hunting, skinning a seal and eating the eyeball.
Last night was one of the most memorable moments we've experienced yet. It was Chris Panipicoochi's 21st birthday (he is the grandson of our host mother Alice). Alice and her daughter from Iqaluit spent all day preparing a feast of steak, potatoes, veggies, fresh bread, and three types of desert. They invited all their friends and family and squished them into Alice's kitchen/living room. Chris was so excited to have everyone there and got very emotional saying that this was his best birthday yet! His appreciation of his grandmother was very touching. He also thanked us for coming although we were humbled that he would even invite us. We learned to play some Inuit games with nails and chopsticks (hard to explain the logistics here) but it got very competitive.
Today at the High School was a cultural day. This afternoon we learned string games, high kick, rock throwing, tug of war games, stilt walking games and traditional bannock making. Many Inuit games involve pain tolerance, but Sarah was able to defeat a 9th grade boy at a two person tug war. We learned to make different Inuit shapes in the string game cat's cradle. We can now proudly make a tent and an elastic. Two elders were leading this activity (one was over 105 years old!!) and they could make caribou, rabbits, kayaks, and ravens. Many of the designs told a story, although the literal translation didn't completely make sense to us it was neat to see.
After school the staff gathered into the staff room and to our surprise presented us with some gifts to show their appreciation. We received Nunavut pins, badges and a Pond Inlet shot glass which Meeka (the vice principal) told us we must only use hard liqueur and must always toast to her. The staff has been so kind and welcoming to us and it is sad to say good bye. They have told us countless times how great this program is and how Queen's has set an excellent example and they hope QHO continues to visit for years to come.
Its hard to summarize this experience in words. We can not believe how fast these four weeks have flown past. Although we did not encourage it, we will be sent off tomorrow morning by the grade 8 girls who promise to stay up all night tonight and meet us at the airport at 7am! We have been so lucky to have this experience and live with a Inuit family. Alice was so welcoming in sharing her home, her customs and her friendship with us. There are many stereotypes of the North, both good and bad. We can now say with authority that the perception of the giving, smiling, community centered culture is true. For full effect one must truly experience this for themselves. We both hope to return again as soon as possible.
xoxo,
Glacier Girls
