by Alison Blackduck
Northern News Services

NNSL (June 11/97) - Three months after becoming a mother, Kimm Rodger, 18, is taking up where she left off -- in high school.

But it's not going to be easy, not since the GNWT decided to withdraw her day care subsidy. And that may mean she'll be writing exams next week with 19 month old Madison by her side.

"I want to finish high school and get on with my life," Rodger said between classes at St. Pat's high school yesterday.

"I was an independent student during my pregnancy, went to night school after Madison was born and went back full-time when Madison was three months," she said.

Rodger was going to school and nursing, too. She'd drop Madison off at the YWCA day care at St. Pat's, then run back during breaks to nurse her.

"It wasn't great, but when you're given that situation you've got to make the best of it," Rodger said.

Starting today, she may be joined by her daughter Madison in her high school classes.

Rodger and Madison's father, Andy Stewart, 21, have raised their daughter with the help of the User Subsidy Program run by the territorial Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

Last week, Rodger received a letter from Alice McLeod of the North Slave Career Centre informing her that "according to my records, you have failed to update your situation."

The situation in question involves Stewart, who was out of work for a month after his employer went bankrupt. Therefore, the centre assumed that there was someone "able and available to look after your child."

Both Rodger and Stewart disagree.

"How is Andy supposed to seriously look for work when he's at home taking care of Madison?" asked Rodger.

Stewart said he's tried taking care of Madison, but "when you're filling out job applications and there's a little person pulling at your leg and begging to go play, it's kind of difficult."

McLeod couldn't be reached for comment, yesterday.

Sharon Noseworthy, co-ordinator of Madison's former day care, has worked with Rodger since 1995 and supports the young couple's point of view.

"The government is always after these kids to get an education, but don't want to fund it," Noseworthy said Tuesday. "As a result, Kimm and Madison may have to leave."

What frustrates Noseworthy and her employer, the YWCA, is that Rodger and other families in similar situations have their subsidy cut then are expected to pay -- retroactively -- for the day care service they received.

Rodger's subsidy was terminated April 1, 1997, and last week, she received a bill of $1,240 for the months of April and May.

"I'm going to have to pay that bill ... but I know we can't afford it."

Rodger has about three weeks left to formally appeal the decision. She said that's what she intends to do, but she's tired of always fighting.

"She should be able to go to class, and do her exams certain her daughter's OK," Noseworthy said.

"She doesn't need all this other stuff on her mind."