For Miki O鈥橩ane, the community Christmas concert makes her holidays.
鈥淛ust to look around when we鈥檙e singing together and see everyone singing together is hard to explain,鈥� said O鈥橩ane, who has been helping lead the concert鈥檚 organization for the last number of years.
黑料吃瓜网 file photo
鈥淚t鈥檚 what I call spirit. It鈥檚 an intangible feeling of joy that I get and I think some others get, hopefully a lot of others get, just from being there and raising our voices together in that beautiful space.鈥�
Each year, Inuvik has been gathering in the Our Lady of Victory Church, better known as the Igloo Church, to join in about two hours of songs and sing-alongs.
The event began in 1984, spurred by high school vice-principal Roy Menna. That led to the creation of the Inuvik Choral Society, which became the Inuvik Choral and Theatrical Society, who put on productions in the old Finto Motor Inn.
That group has since disbanded as most of the members have left, but the community concert has lived on. O鈥橩ane got involved in its organization in the 1990s.
鈥淚t evolved into an annual thing,鈥� she said.
The event is entirely volunteer-run, with donations of advertising and supplies from various organizations around town. The economic downturn in Inuvik hasn鈥檛 yet impacted the concert, which always packs the church.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all been (a volunteer effort), so there has really been no cost,鈥� said O鈥橩ane. 鈥淎s long as people will give their muscle and their time and their will, the economy hopefully won鈥檛 impact it. All the more reason to get together and have a joyful event 鈥� we need it!鈥�
She said it鈥檚 important to have Inuvialuit and Gwich鈥檌n elders sing songs in their languages, as well as young children and anyone else interested in town.
鈥淔or many of us, what Christmas is about is the birth of Christ,鈥� said O鈥橩ane. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just a great opportunity for fellowship in the community, regardless of their belief or non-belief. It doesn鈥檛 matter. Just to be together to have a joyful time together is what it鈥檚 about. For me, it鈥檚 really what makes my Christmas.鈥�
She hopes to see another packed house for this year鈥檚 concert, scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Igloo Church.
