Sharing legendary lessons (fwd link)

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Sharing legendary lessons
Elisha Kilabuk strengthens Inuit oral tradition with stories and songs

Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Taikkuaguuq is an Inuktitut word used to begin a
traditional Inuit legend.

"It means 'once there were'," explained Elisha Kilabuk. "It's like 'once upon a
time'. Most legends start like that."

The Iqaluit-born storyteller often uses the word to draw listeners into the
Inuit legends he presents at events organized through elementary schools, Inuit
organizations, the territorial government and the Nunavut teaching education
program at Nunavut Arctic College.

"For me, these stories are very important because most of them are not written,"
Kilabuk said. "Because these stories were passed down orally from generation to
generation I think it's important for us to learn them and know them. We're
losing our language. It's important to keep the Inuit legends in order to keep
the language preserved.

Access full article below:
http://nnsl.com/northern-news-services/stories/papers/sep14_09sto-arts.html