Noel Kaludjak, of Rankin Inlet, has fond holiday memories of spending Christmastimes in the Kivalliq communities of Coral Harbour, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.
Kaludjak said Whale Cove is where he had his first experience of Christmas at about age six to eight.
In the early days, there were a lot of snowmobile races in the cold, cold weather, he recalled.
“Snowmobile racing was the highlight of the Christmas season in Whale Cove back then,” said Kaludjak. “Games on the ice at the harbour were also really exciting. There were also lots of fun games at the old community hall.
“One of the best games I remember at the Catholic Church saw the priest wrap prizes in an old newspaper bag. They would give us a little string and, with a hook on the end, we would try to 'fish' the prizes in.
“That was one of the most fun games at Christmas that I can remember.”
It was in Coral Harbour where Kaludjak first realized that folks could play games all night and sleep all day. He said he would play games and dance all night at the community hall.
“Everyone was just totally gamed out, so they would, pretty much, sleep away all the next day. Then they would just start it all over again the very next evening.
“It's not so much like that there anymore, but that was really a big, big thing back then. The games at the hall were just crazy. Also, the local radio Christmas games were just hilarious.
“I was in my mid-20s to my mid-30s in Coral then and I spent most of my holidays there laughing until my belly hurt.
“A big game at the community hall in Coral at the time was ladders. We had about 20 on each side and it was really a lot of fun, but nobody plays it anymore. That was really a screaming game!”
Kaludjak remembers the Christmas games in Rankin Inlet being more modern and a lot of fun.
He said excitement filled the air as time trials began for the snowmobile races.
“Dog-team racing was a really big hit in Rankin at the time and I actually won once, but I think some of the older, really good racers might have let me win,” said Kaludjak with a hearty laugh. “I couldn't wait to join or sign up.
“There were so many people in Rankin then (I was 22) that the Christmas games in the community hall were packed to the rafters.
“The most hilarious part of the whole bit in Rankin was when some Elders began playing guitar, singing and trying to mimic being a hit rock-and-roll band. They were trying to be funny at it and I was laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my cheeks.
“Iglu-building was also a really big hit in Rankin but nobody does that anymore either. I had so many great Christmas experiences in Kivalliq, but I would have to say that dog-team racing in Rankin in the early '90s was my all-time favourite, I don't care if they let me win. It felt good.”
