‘They absolutely killed it’: Students embrace first heritage fair

In the first of what they hope will become regular heritage fairs, Grade 9 students from Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik school in Rankin Inlet explored Canadian figures and conflicts and how they relate to Inuit cultural values.

A heritage fair is like a science fair but for social studies, said teacher Sarah Bruckschwaiger.

“The goal of the fair is to explore Canadian heritage, which means the diverse cultures, conflicts, stories and contexts that make our country what it is today,” she said.

Bruckschwaiger credits the school’s principal, Jolene Anderson, for the idea to hold the fair, which happened May 10.

Administrators decided that for the second half of the school year, they wanted to take a more hands-on approach to social studies.

From there, the heritage fair was born.

Students studied Canadian military conflicts and learned about influential Black Canadians like Violet King Henry, who was Canada’s first Black female lawyer, and Rosemary Brown, a social worker and activist who became the first Black woman to sit in a Canadian legislature and the first to run for the leadership of a federal party.

These important Black Canadians were studied for how their values and work corresponded with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, or IQ principles.

IQ principles are a set of eight societal values by which Inuit live. For example, pijitsirniq is serving and providing for family and/or community.

Speaking with Nunatsiaq News, Grade 9 student Kate Lindell, 14, noted Violet King “was a very hard worker, and even though she went through a lot of racism in the workplace she still kept a great smile.”

Grade 9 students and administrators at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik school show off their posters of important Black Canadians. (Photo by Lucas Samurtok-Kolola)

Marissa Tulugak-Smith, 14, said Rosemary Brown “helped people deal with racism” and advocated for people with disabilities.

She worked hard to “show everyone is equal,” Smith said.

A fundamental aspect of the IQ principles is advocacy and work in the community, and both women were heavily involved in their communities, the students said.

Bruckschwaiger said the heritage fair was a great success. Grade 9 students presented what they had learned to other students, parents and community members.

Heritage fairs, like science fairs, have provincial and national-level competitions. Bruckschwaiger said she wants to see the competition spread to other hamlets in the territory.

“[Heritage fairs are] actually highly competitive. And some schools get really into it, it can really be an incredible-like prep for college,” she said.

“We had to change a few things to make [projects] more culturally responsive. But something that the kids really enjoyed was the ability to choose their own subject. [Students] could look around and decide what they connected with.”

The uptake from students was immediate, she said, and they became involved and interested in their project.

“We are working towards making this a larger thing in the next five years,” Bruckschwaiger said

“Students had never even heard of a heritage fair, and they absolutely killed it.”