Pangnirtung woman writes book to raise daycare funds

The cover of Vera Evic’s book, “Trip to the Moon,” whose sales will help raise money for programs at the Mianiqsivik Pairivik daycare in Pangnirtung.

The Mianiqsivik Pairivik daycare in Pangnirtung has found a new way to fundraise: by selling a new preschool book written in Inuktitut and English called “Trip to the Moon.”

The book, written by Vera Evic, a Pangnirtung author and parent, is a short story about three boys, Michael, Jacob and Kevin, who discover a magic oil drum that flies them to the moon, where they run into some unexpected things.

A team of artists from the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artist Association illustrated the book, with each artist doing two or three illustrations targeted at preschool children aged two to five.

The involvement of the Uqqurmiut Inuit Artist Association helped make the the book look and feel “authentically Pangnirtung,” Oliver said.

Andrew Qappik, Jolly Atagoyuk, Elisapee Ishulutaq, Peona Keyaukjuk and Jessica Akpalialuk all contributed original art to the project, which also aims to increase literacy.

“It’s really kind of a community-made project,” said Ryan Oliver, a Mianiqsivik Pairivik board member and parent.

In 2010, Mianiqsivik Pairivik decided to promote literacy among preschool age children, particularly in Inuktitut.

The daycare hosted a contest, inviting all Panniqturmiut to write a story.

Out of 21 entries, Evic’s story was chosen as the winning entry.

It tells the tale of three Pangnirtung boys who find an old oil drum on the beach that takes them on a trip beyond their wildest dreams.

The book, with text in English and Inuktitut on each page, will raise money for the daycare’s programs, such as drum dancing, having performers come in, and other culturally-based activities.

Each $10 hard copy of the book will go to the programs at Mianiqsivik Pairivik.

The 24 or so full-time kids who attend daycare already have mini-drums, Oliver said.

Mianiqsivik Pairivik is mailing out two copies of the book to each Nunavut daycare, library and elementary school in Nunavut.

The book is for sale online or through mail by contacting the daycare directly at {encode=”pairivikpairivik@qiniq.com” title=”by email”} or calling 867-473-8889.

However, a digital copy of the book is available for free online and will be available from major online retailers such as Amazon and Chapters in the fall.

Money for the book came from the Government of Nunavut’s education department “Healthy Children’s Initiative.”