Celebrating a new school addition in Cambridge Bay

Traditional singing, square dancing and drumming marked the opening of an annex to Cambridge Bay’s elementary school on Tuesday night and highlighted Inuktitut Uquattin Week celebrations there.

Premier Paul Okalik, Education Minister Peter Kilabuk and Finance Minister Kelvin Ng, Cambridge Bay’s MLA, were all on hand to cut the caribou ribbon and officially open the $500,000 space.

The addition includes five new teaching spaces for Kullik Illihavik, which had previously been using two portable units for its overflow of students.

The new spaces will be used by kindergarten classes, and a double Grade 6 class. The addition also includes a computer lab with 24 computers, as well as a language and culture area.

The cultural area lies in the centre of the semi-circular addition. It features a skylight, display cases and kitchen for elders to prepare tea as they visit with the students.