Kugaaruk, Nunavut

Kugaaruk (Inuktitut syllabics: ᑳᒑᕐᑭᓪ) formerly known as Pelly Bay ("Arviligjuaq", meaning "the great bowhead whale habitat") until 3 December, 1999) is located on the shore of Gulf of Boothia, Kitikmeot, in Canada's Nunavut Territory. Access is by air and by annual supply sealift. "Kugaaruk" means "little stream", [cite web|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/PrinterFriendly.cfm?Params=A1ARTA0006197|title="Kugaaruk" in "The Canadian Encyclopedia"|accessdate=2006-10-07] the traditional name of the brook that flows through the village.

As of the 2006 census the population was 688 an increase of 13.7% from the 2001 census. [ [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/profiles/community/Details/Page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CSD&Code1=6208047&Geo2=PR&Code2=62&Data=Count&SearchText=Kugaaruk&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&GeoLevel=&GeoCode=6208047 2006 census] ]

Culture

The historical inhabitants were Arviligjuarmiut.(Bennett, 2004, chapter 26, pg. 360) Kugaaruk is a traditional "Central Inuit" community. Until 1968, the people followed a nomadic lifestyle. The population is approximately 97% Inuit and most people self-identify as Netsilik Inuit. The residents blend a land based lifestyle with modern technology and interests. Most families supplement their diet with Ringed Seal, caribou, and arctic char. Other game includes narwhal, Polar Bear, wolverine and muskox. Despite the isolation of the community, the Inuktitut language is declining. Most people 30 and over speak Inuktitut as their first language, but the language is not being passed on to their children. In most households, a mixture of English and Inuktitut is spoken. Children understand their parents and grandparents, but respond to them in English. One goal of the Nunavut educational system is to encourage and spread the use of Inuktitut.

There are a few Inuit artists in Kugaaruk, including the world renowned Emily Illuitok, [Nunavut News North: January 22nd 2007] who works mostly in walrus ivory and bone. Most women sew traditional parkas, amautiit (baby carrying parkas), and kamik (seal or caribou skin boots).

Kugaaruk School

Kugaaruk school is a kindergarten to grade 12 school and is the current host site of the Nunavut Teachers Education Program (NTEP) in the Kitikmeot Region.when The school is very modern and includes a large south facing library, computer lab, gymnasium and science lab. Currently there are two language specialists who teach the Nattilingmiut dialect, while the rest of the staff is southern teachers.when In 2010 many of the NTEP graduates, who are locals, will become teachers in levels from kindergarten to grade 7. As the only outsiders in the community are government workers, the student population is almost entirely Inuit.

All high schools in Nunavut use the Alberta educational curriculum. However, one challenge faced by educators in this community is that most students read at about 3 or 4 grade levels lower than their Albertan counterparts (as of 2007). As with most schools in Nunavut, the school is under the partial authority of the locally elected District Education Authority (DEA) who design policy as well as make decisions regarding discipline, spending, and cultural activities.

Kugaaruk was recently involved in the Mississauga YMCA exchange (March 28 - April 3, 2007. April 12 - April 21, 2007). 15 children from Kugaaruk made their way to Mississauga with three teachers, for 7 days. Then, 15 people from Mississauga traveled to Kugaaruk for 11 days to experience the land and culture. Sites visited in Ontario included the CN Tower, the Hockey Hall of Fame, Queen's Park, Square One Shopping Centre, MuchMusic, Niagara Falls, Great Wolf Lodge, and the two exchange schools: Clarkson Secondary, and Hillside Senior Public School.

ee also

*Kugaaruk Airport
*Netsilik Inuit

References

* Bennett, John, and Susan Diana Mary Rowley. " [http://books.google.com/books?id=6cjGnMRRrcEC&pg=PA360&lpg=PA360&dq=arviligjuaq&source=web&ots=sR2HPyvgEW&sig=vCMf_74L_Hznfz_rXRpzigAA4Ig#PPA360,M1 Uqalurait An Oral History of Nunavut] ". McGill-Queen's native and northern series, 36. Montreal: MQUP, 2004. ISBN 0773523405