Ivujivik students find science in the riverbanks

For two Grade 6 students from Ivujivik, the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair is the chance to mould their curiosity — literally.

Siasi Ainalik and Shannon Usuarjuq wanted to know if there was clay in their community. So they looked it up, discussed it with community members, and found there was white clay near the river.

“It just looked like sand,” said Ainalik. “We just needed to take the rocks out, remove the water, and put it in a pillowcase [to filter it].”

They left it for 48 hours to seep away its water contents, moulded the pieces into bowls and hearts, and cooked them.

The end result formed their contribution to the 25th edition of the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, hosted this year by Kuujjuaraapik/Whapmagoostui.

The two students spent about four months working on their project for this science fair.

This project was made by the Ivujivik duo of Siasi Ainalik and Shannon Usuarjuq. They gathered white clay from the nearby river in Ivujivik, filtered it and turned the residue into sculptures. (Photo courtesy of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq / Jade Bernier)

They said that seeing all the other participants and their projects has inspired them to do more in sciences, especially with launchers and rockets.

The goal of the Quebec Indigenous Science Fair, organized by the Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association, is to unite students from all 11 Indigenous nations in the province under one roof to share their culture and knowledge through science.

This year, there were about 80 participants there.

“A lot of the project focuses on cultural heritage,” said Marc Lalande, president of the association, in a French interview.

“They are proud of where they come from and we want to build their confidence with this event.”

This year, both the Eeyou Istchee school board and Kativik Ilisarniliriniq helped organize the event, with students being hosted in families from both Kuujjuaraapik and Whapmagoostui.

Two Nunavik schools participated — Kuujjuaraapik and Ivujivik. Salluit was expected to come, but weather made it impossible for students to fly in on time.

Lalande said it is not easy for youths in northern communities to sink their teeth into science at an early age due to the high teacher turnover in the region.

“They need leaders at the school boards and their villages that tell the youth that it is important,” he said.

The science fair lasted two days, from March 19 to 20. In addition to having the children take part in cultural activities, there was a ceremony to close the event.

Results from the science fair will determine which participants are eligible to compete in the Cananda-Wide Science Fair, hosted in the first week of June in Fredericton, N.B., where around 500 participants are set to compete.

One Quebec Indigenous Science Fair participant will also get the chance to travel to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, in September for the MILSET International Science Fair as a spectator.