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Elders share lessons from the land

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Mary Aqilriaq explains how to light a fire using flint, rock, and pouch containing Arctic cotton as fuel. Connie Baines photo

Youth in Gjoa Haven have been invited to the community hall on Saturday afternoons to learn from the elders. Survival skills, cooking, drum dancing and Inuit games are among the topics.

The Hamlet of Gjoa Haven developed the program with funding from the Department of Health’s wellness division. As the weather warms, the get-togethers are expected to take place at a cabin outside of the community.

Mary Aqilriaq explains how to light a fire using flint, rock, and a pouch containing Arctic cotton as fuel. Connie Baines photo
Mark Keknek demonstrates how to tie fishing nets while David Siksik, left, and Enuk Pauloosie, right, look on. Connie Baines photo
Gjoa Haven elders Salomie Qitsualik, left, and Mary Aqilriaq scrape a caribou skin, which is used to make traditional clothing.
Gibson Porter takes a turn scraping a seal skin. Youth in Gjoa Haven are welcome to learn from elders at the community hall on Saturday afternoons. Connie Baines photos
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Mark Keknek demonstrates how to tie fishing nets while David Siksik, left, and Enuk Pauloosie, right, look on. Connie Baines photo
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Gibson Porter takes a turn scraping a seal skin. Youth in Gjoa Haven are welcome to learn from elders at the community hall on Saturday afternoons. Connie Baines photos