The Iqaluit Centennial Library restarted its throat-singing lessons for kids after a long hiatus due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Arts and crafts, French/Inuktitut story time, as well as Inuit cultural activities such as throat-singing and drum-making are all a part of regular Saturday afternoon childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 programs at the library.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were closed for much of Covid and we werenSA国际影视传媒檛 allowed to have programming due to the restrictions,SA国际影视传媒� said Catherine Hoyt, library volunteer of over 15 years and co-ordinator for childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 activities at the Iqaluit Centennial Library.

Hoyt was happy to mark a return to normal activities after such a long delay. She adds there have been volunteers and parents who have been coming to the library for over 10 years, including those who grew up volunteering for Saturday childrenSA国际影视传媒檚 programs.

Elizabeth Ryan was one of those students. She started as a summer student teaching kids 10 years ago and has been doing that ever since, according to Hoyt. She continues to teach cultural lessons to kids, now including her own. She was one of the throat-singing teachers on Saturday.

SA国际影视传媒淚 didnSA国际影视传媒檛 learn (to throat-sing) until I was an adult,SA国际影视传媒� said Ryan, who noted kids these days are much keener on learning how to throat-sing compared to when she was younger.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 become so popular that almost everybody knows what throat-singing is, here anyways.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 really great that children are growing up with throat-singing.SA国际影视传媒�

Ryan added that shows at different festivities like Toonik Tyme or Alianait Arts Festival are good places to get kids exposed to throat-singing, however she adds kids also need an interactive element as well.

SA国际影视传媒淭his is really fun where they get to interact and try it and ask questions, to find out what their favourite songs are and I think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 also really important,SA国际影视传媒� said Ryan.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think itSA国际影视传媒檚 exciting for kids who are very observant,SA国际影视传媒� added Sandi Vincent, who was teaching throat-singing at the library alongside Elizabeth.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll of these throat-songs (come from) sounds in nature and the environment, so itSA国际影视传媒檚 a good chance for them to use their observation skills and to focus on their breathing and body, sounds and rhythm. A lot of the throat-songs come in stories so thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of different embedded cultural elements in throat-singing,SA国际影视传媒� Vincent added.

Parents interested in taking part in Saturday activities can reach out to the library by simply stopping by or getting on the library emailing list for future activities.

For Hoyt, it has been very fulfilling to see families over the years continue bringing their kids to the library.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檝e got families who have been coming here for 10 years, their kids have grown up in the library,SA国际影视传媒� said Hoyt.

SA国际影视传媒淣ow we have teenagers that are volunteering that came here for story time when they were preschoolers. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 very rewarding.SA国际影视传媒�