Nunavut’s fave puppet goes digital

Kids can learn while they have fun— in Inuktitut or English— on a new website based on the popular children’s puppet show, Takuginai. (PHOTO COURTESY IBC)

Johnny the Lemming says he’s excited.

The Inuktitut children’s show, Takuginai, now has its own website.

The new website www.takuginai.ca , launched this past week in Iqaluit and Ottawa, offers a variety of activities for children in Inuktitut and English.

They can learn to bake bannock, make healthy snacks or count to five through on-line activities based on the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation’s popular television program, Takuginai.

For more 25 years, Takuginai has entertained viewers with its puppet family that includes Johnny the Lemming, Granny and Grandpa, Pukki and Meesee.

The familiar puppets can also be found on the website, which uses games, healthy recipes, stories and videos to teach young children about numbers, animals and letters.

Innuinaqtun and French versions of the website are also planned.

“I am so proud to be launching this website, extending the work that IBC has been doing for over 30 years – protecting and promoting our language and our culture. I am equally pleased that IBC is contributing to the objectives set out in our Inuit Language Protection Act, providing this resource that can be accessed in our homes and our schools,” said Okalik Eegeesiak, chair of IBC, in an IBC news release.

Support for the website’s creation came from Canadian Heritage, Gateway Fund, Nunavut’s department of culture, language, elders and youth, the city of Iqaluit, the Brighter Futures program, Indian and Northern Affairs, First Air and Canadian North.