Return of the Sun (2020)

The sun was back and it was time to celebrate.  The first sun celebration of the new decade!

            

The sun disappears from view on November 11 and doesn’t reappear until February 5 or 6^th.  The days in between do get some sunlight, but it diminishes first, then increases after December 21.  The sun’s disappearance is not celebrated.  Arctic Bay only experiences 24-hour daylight during the spring & summer.  The community is not north enough to experience 24-hour darkness during the fall & winter. 

            

Planning for the school’s assembly began in late January.  The biggest addition to the program was a feast (more on that coming up).  There would be a ceremonial qulliq lighting, speeches, songs, dances, attendance awards, and announcements.  The food was ordered from the local Co-op.  The assembly was set for February 6^th in the afternoon.

           

High school students & teachers headed down to the gym at 1:30pm to set up chairs, tables, and the portable sound system.  Several teachers stayed at school over the lunch hour to prepare the food.  Bannock was also prepared.  The bowls & trays of food, covered in plastic wrap, was brought into the gym and placed on a line of tables.  This was followed by juice boxes, paper plates & cups, napkins, and a coffee machine.

           

Elder Qapik Attagutsiak was invited to light the ceremonial qulliq.  A comfortable chair and small cloth-draped table were set aside for her.  She gave an impromptu lesson to the high school students on properly lighting the qulliq.  Elder Tommy Tatatuapik was invited to speak to the student body later in the ceremony.  He gave an impromptu lesson on properly playing the Inuit drum after Qapik was finished with her lesson.

           

Principal & Morty beginning the ceremony.

The ceremony began at 1:45pm.  The gym was full of students, teachers, Elders, community members, and visiting guests.  Many people were wearing traditional Inuit clothing.  The principal welcomed everyone to the assembly.  The gym lights were turned off and Qapik officially began the ceremony with the lighting of the qulliq.  She briefly explained the history, importance, and cultural significance of the qulliq.  Student Support Assistant Morty provided the English translation.  The lights were turned on when Morty said she was finished her presentation.  Qapik received an applause from the audience.

           

Elder Tommy.

Superintendent Eliyah speaking.

Tommy continued the assembly by talking about his experiences living out on the land during the dark winter days and what was done when the sun returned.  Morty translated his words into English.  The next person to speak was Superintendent Eliyah, visiting from Pond Inlet.  He was visiting/inspecting his assigned schools and his schedule made it possible for him to be present for our assembly.  He talked about how nice the community is, the wonderful students & teachers, and how he appreciates Inuit language & culture being kept alive.  Tommy & Eliyah were applauded for their speeches.

            

There were three performances.  The first one was done by a high school student and Elder Leah K.  The student played the Inuit drum and Leah sang a song in Inuktitut about the sun coming back.  The next performance was a square dance by the Grade 4 class.  The third performance was the Grade 3 class singing “You Are My Sunshine” in Inuktitut & English.  Their teacher played the tune on an accordion.  Plates of food were being prepared during the performances by several teachers & staff.  It’s easier to hand out food instead of having lines.  Lines take too long.  There can be lines for second helpings.

            

The superintendent assisted the principal in handing out best attendance awards for the month of January.  Students received certificates, handshakes, and had their pictures taken.  Some were shy, but all were smiling when receiving their certificates.  The last thing on the program before the feast was the announcement of the recently formed student council.  It’s been a while since Inuujaq School has had a student council so it’s good to see it again.  Members were called to the front and formally introduced to the school and community.

           

The feast began with the blessing of the food by an Elder.  Then the teachers & student support assistants distributed the many plates of food and juice boxes.  The feast lasted 20 minutes.  High school students & teachers stayed behind to clean up the gym while the elementary & middle school teachers escorted their students back to their classrooms.  Community members also made their exit.  The custodians brought in the brooms & mops once the gym was empty.  The gym was cleaned in 15 minutes.  The dismissal bell rang shortly thereafter.