Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Resolute (Nov 12/01) - Schools routinely employ counsellors to help troubled students.

But at Qarmartalik school in Resolute, that's not an option. The small student population does not warrant such a position, so Susan Salluviniq has stepped in.

The school secretary serves as a counsellor when she's not an-swering the phone or managing the office for the 70-pupil school. Her support is offered on an on-call basis.

Salluviniq is not paid extra for the extra work. Progress, she said, is reward enough.

"Students do better and stay in school when they're happier," Salluviniq says.

Counselling has also proven to be a valuable learning experience.

"I used to think I'm a magnet for people with problems and I couldn't understand it," Salluviniq says.

"Now I know this is my calling. I consider it a blessing. I know what it's like not to be understood or going through problems. My parents passed away when I was young so I know what it's like to need someone to talk to."

Student iss-ues include bullying, anger, absenteeism, abuse, violence and suicide, says principal Terry Lyn Hall.

It was Hall who asked Salluviniq to serve as an on-call counsellor in September. So far, there's no regrets.

"It's working out really well. Running the school is a community issue, not just a school issue," Hall says. "Kids here are dealing with the same problems as in communities like Iqaluit, except they don't have the support."

Counselling is not new to Salluviniq. For years she served as a community counsellor. The mother and great grandmother is also the office manager for the district's education authority.

Inuit language and culture are an integral part of her work, and

Salluviniq's commitment to education and youth is clear.

"When I go to a class or talk to a student I tell them about traditional values, values that are not being passed on," she says.

"I'm enjoying it. I feel more involved with the school."