Learning to Draw Together: George Qavviu Ningark’s Connected North Session in Apex, Nunavut

In Apex, Nunavut, students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 gather together “family-style” for a Connected North session with artist and educator George Qavviu Ningark. From the moment he greets them in Inuktitut and exclaims, “Drawing is fun!” the classroom fills with excitement.

George begins the session by sharing that he has been a teacher for 31 years, and that two of his daughters are now teachers as well. He speaks about his love of drawing, even sketching on cups when he travels, and explains how he first learned art from his uncle. While he once worked primarily with pencil, he now creates his pieces with markers.

“When you draw with a pencil and you make a mistake, what do you do?” George asks the class. “Erase it!” they respond eagerly. At first, the students follow his lead with pencils while he demonstrates with a marker. With their papers positioned horizontally and pencils in hand, the students are ready to create art inspired by familiar things from the land.

Sharing stories of his childhood on the land, George begins his art piece as students create their own versions. He asks the class what he is drawing, and someone guesses an inukshuk. He explains how he often sees them while traveling, describing their purpose and the role of other rock formations for hunters.

As George fills in the rocks, he proudly shares stories about his children. He talks about how they pursued their education and found good jobs, encouraging the students to do the same. He also speaks about his life in Pelly Bay and demonstrates shading techniques to make the inukshuk stand out. When he draws his favourite animal, the students eagerly guess what it is. “Caribou!” they exclaim with excitement. The Arctic char is the second-to-last addition to the landscape, followed by the raven.

George’s art instruction blends stories of Northern life with personal experience, and he encourages students to use the Inuktitut words for what they draw. Through his session, George not only teaches students how to draw but also creates a learning experience that celebrates both creativity and culture. These moments give students the chance to practice their artistic skills while also connecting with their language, traditions, and identity.

At the end of the lesson, students proudly hold their masterpieces up to the camera so George can see how they followed his instructions. “Wow! Great drawing!” he encourages, smiling broadly and complimenting specific aspects of their creations.

“Hopefully I will see you all next year!” George beams as the class draws to a close and students pack up their belongings to move on to the next activity in their day. Bringing Culture, Language and Identity, Arts & Recreation, and Hope for the Future, George Qavviu Ningark weaves multiple components of the Connected North Well-being Framework into his sessions.

Combining the fun of drawing with a celebration of Northern life through artistic expression, these engaging sessions meet students where they are and help them learn new skills. With talented role models to guide them, students in Connected North schools are creating more than just landscapes — they are building relationships and discovering what’s possible for their futures. Sessions like George’s remind students that their creativity and cultural knowledge are valuable, and that their stories can be proudly shared through art.