Sticky tack in hand and backboards in place, students from across the country began the day by setting up their projects at the Saskatoon Field House. Nunavut, the youngest region of Canada participating in the Fair, has been present at the national exhibition since the territory’s creation in 1999. Representing this unique culture this year are five delegates, an alumna, and two counsellors. As can often be seen with travelling, Nunavut has had mixed luck with their trip to Saskatoon.

An unfortunate moment at the Fair happened when Philip, a Nunavut delegate, realized that his board had been left at home amidst the excitement of travelling. A positive participant, Philip was more than willing to help out his fellow delegates as they set up projects for display. During my visit to their area in the Field House, Philip was helping Déric from Iqaluit with setting up his project, entitled “Legendes et Mythes”, a study on Inuit legends and myths displayed in French. Next to Déric, Carrie-Ann, hailing from Arviat, was busy setting her project up underneath the beautiful hand-painted banners of their territory’s flag. Her project focused on Inuit education, giving the public a better understanding of Northern cultural teachings. Alongside her peers, Laila Alookie, a student from Qikiqtarjuaq, displayed different articles of clothing for her project on Inuit clothing. Her unique project, which showed off traditional clothing worn in her territory, intrigued many students as they passed by. All participants appeared busy and content with their presentations as they continued to set up their projects for the Fair.

Beside the tables of Nunavut students, Northwest Territories delegates were busily putting finishing touches on their displays. Reanna, a participant from the town of Cheleta, proudly displayed her project on the Mountain Dene tribe from her region. Her project name, “Shutaotine - My Heritage”, drew interest from students passing by her backboard on their way to their own projects. When asked, Reanna was more than happy to educate others on the tribe’s culture. She explained that the tribes have several different forms of transportation, including walking, dog sleds, snowshoes (called Mukluks by the locals), or by boats made of moose hide that are built by the men of the tribe and sewn by the women. She continued to talk of how women of the tribe play a large role due in part to their sewing skills. According to Reanna, women would sew articles that were made of fur or hide which would be used by all members of the tribe in various ways. Using the proper tools, they would clean the skin first, then make its surface soft, which allowed them to sew several hides together.

On another part of her board, Reanna pointed out an interesting fact that involved her great grandfather, Yahtsule Mackenzie Andre. She informed me that he was one of the first men to start drum dancing in the tribe to which he belonged.

Her enthusiasm about this section of the topic was commonplace in the building, as many students have family relatives displayed in their projects. Some delegates told the stories of ancestors involved in past wars, others talked of a relative’s more recent contributions in Canada. In the case of Reanna, among others, we can see that many Fair participants have a deep interest in their own family history and the stories close to their own lives. •