Pakallak Tyme is underway in Rankin Inlet, even if Mother Nature doesn’t seem to be in the best of moods for fun and games.
And while Pakallak Tyme remains, for the most part, a hit with the community, some folks see room for improvement.
Inukpaujaq Ayaruak’s favourite part of the spring carnival is watching the square dance competition.
Ayaruak said it’s hard to complain about the games and activities when it seems to be the same volunteers every year. She said if people want change, they should volunteer their time or just sit back and appreciate what’s being done during the event.
“I still really enjoy the outdoor games; fastest fishing, Ski-Doo race pulling a jerry can on a caribou skin, blindfolded human (dog race) and setting the names as right person, centre person and left person,” said Ayaruak.
“I’m not sure if they’re doing enough for Elders because I don’t attend activities as much as I used to. I think they play dice games that are nice and simple for them.
“For some, Pakallak Tyme is still seen as building spirit within the community. It’s a good way to get out of the house, socialize and see happy people.”
Rose Tootoo said she and her husband, Barney, don’t attend activities the way they used to in the past.
She said one of the things that keeps her away from Pakallak Tyme is that the games and activities haven’t changed much in years.
“We really don’t go too far these days and that’s one reason, I guess, why we don’t get out to Pakallak Tyme all that much,” said Tootoo.
“Sometimes we will go out to the hall for the games but, it seems the older we get, the more lazy we get.
“The Fear Factor event is still going strong to this day and it seems to be as popular as ever. People sure seem to enjoy that and have a good time.”
Tootoo said she would agree that the hamlet still tries its best to offer Elders a wide range of activities during Pakallak Tyme.
She said the only problem is that nothing changes with what is offered.
“That’s my only gripe. Nothing seems to ever change and they never seem to want to take a chance by switching things up a bit, except for one year they had a person come in from the west (Kitikmeot) and that was really a lot of fun.
“He brought a lot of games and activities with him that, I guess, they do in their community but they were still fresh here in Rankin. That year was really a lot of fun.
“Pakallak Tyme seems to be one of the few things that doesn’t attract a lot of volunteers in Rankin and, I think, that’s one of the main reason it continues to go downhill.
“But, you know, never say never and one of these years a new person or committee with new ideas just may breathe new life into Pakallak Tyme again.”