Caps, Gowns and Kulliks

"Ladies and gentlemen, the largest graduating class in the history of Kiilinik High School, and perhaps in the entire Kitikmeot region, the class of 2009!"

Some of them laughed, some cried, some smiled, but it was obvious that each of the fourteen students standing on the stage were proud of their accomplishment. Together, they had overcome teenage drama, family hardships, and social pressures to make it to one of the most important moments of their lives. All dressed in black caps and gowns, you wouldn't know that one of them was a single mom who came back to school to graduate at age 21. You wouldn't know that one of them was the first to graduate in his family, or that another was destined for the University of Alberta.

Congratulations Class of 2009!

The ceremony began with Lena lighting the kullik, the traditional stove of Inuit. The kullik (also spelled qulliq) is lit using Arctic cotton and seal oil, and is a very symbolic act. Here is a video that my dad found of the process. Mary followed the lighting of the kullik with her traditional drum dancing. Since Lena and Mary were sponsored by the Heritage Society, I was invited (no, I didn't just crash the party) to attend the ceremony and dinner, which was catered by the Arctic College's cooking program.

Lena lights the kullik

I was extremely proud of this graduating class, several of whom I have had the pleasure of working with in the environmental class. Perhaps this is a sign of things to come; that more youth of Cambridge Bay are recognizing the importance of getting an education. You could tell by the looks on the faces of the graduates' parents that they believe there is hope in the youth of Cambridge Bay. I wish them all the best of luck and hope they pursue their dreams with all of their hearts.