Kitikmeot Regional Elder and Youth Culture Camp

Elders and Youth from each of the 7 communities across the Kitikmeot region participated in a Language and Culture Camp in Omingmaktok (Bay Chimo) and Hiraarvik from August 10-16.  Youth learned traditional skills such as sewing, tool making, hunting and meat/skin preparation.  Participants from across the region flew into Cambridge Bay, where a charter transported them to Bay Chimo.  Following a one day delay due to weather, the campers moved by boat from Bay Chimo to a camping site called Hiraarvik, a short distance away from Hiukaktak, a proposed conservation area in the Kitikmeot region.  Youth and Elders toured the proposed conservation area by helicopter and discussed traditional uses of the land.  Drum dances and singing was done on a few nights and campers took responsibilities in all areas of camp duty.  An elderly woman demonstrated the lighting of a qulliq to the group, using only traditional materials and methods, and despite light winds outdoors, was successful in lighting the lamp.  Youth also received instruction in photography and video camera operation and assisted in documenting the whole camp experience through photography and film.  A camp slideshow, accompanied by drum songs, was completed and a video project is being edited using the footage obtained during the week.