Rankin Inlet to Red Rock
Special Visitor Shares About Life in Rankin Inlet
by Susan Pankuch
George Pankuch tells students about life in Rankin Inlet. Photo courtesy St. Hillary School.
RED ROCK, ON – Grades 3-6 students at St. Hilary School in Red Rock participated in presentations regarding Inuit life in Nunavut recently as students were visited by George Pankuch who has lived and taught in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut and travelled on Baffin Island, Nunavut.
A multitude of historic tools and art works were shown and examined by students, such as soap stone, caribou antler and whale bone carvings. Students learned about various arctic animals and the process of tanning hides and the workmanship and skill required to create traditional clothing and technologies. They enjoyed trying on historic bone goggles that Inuit wore in response to snow glare and also tried their hand at holding a large game harpoon. As part of a three part presentation students participated in a slide show illustrating life in Rankin Inlet Schools and Nunavut communities. Pictures shown illustrated that life in the northern regions of Canada is very different than in Northern Ontario, but students also learned that both regions share many similarities. For example students share their artwork by displaying it and participate in academic projects just the same as St. Hilary School. Families in Nunavut value the same things such as faith, family, friends and recreation time. Students completed writing assignments that highlighted their learning. Joel stated that, “It must be nice in Nunavut because Mr. Pankuch wants to move back!” Emma shared that she learned many things especially about all of the animals. Thomas said that, “It is fun to see and touch the things from different cultures. Maybe I will experience these things and go to these places when I get older.”
Photos courtesy St. Hillary School
Photo courtesy St. Hillary School
