Bewitched, bothered and bewildered

Things got strange in the house last week when Ed Picco decided to demonstrate his commitment to keeping Inuktitut in schools by calling Tagak Curley a tuungaq, or demon. Picco used the example to point out the different ways each language allows one to communicate.

After being assured by the chairman, Patterk Netser, that he was not in fact a demon (“though we do get a little scary at times,” Netser joked), Curley, MLA for Rankin Inlet North, pursued the issue out of curiosity.

“I have always wanted to know about Wicca,” Curley said. “Is it only here in Iqaluit, or was it in all of Nunavut. Was that started by the teachers?”

Education Minister Picco explained that “Wicca is a term used to describe the practice of witchcraft,” and said Curley may have read a newspaper article describing some students involved in different practices.

“I believe it talked about the good power of witchcraft and the dark side of witchcraft,” Picco said. “It is not taught in schools. It is something that the children probably saw on TV or read in magazines.”