Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 14/02) - It's a mixture of pride and homesickness that fills Jerry Natanine's voice during a long-distance phone call from North Bay, Ont.

The 32-year-old Clyde River man misses the taste and warmth of fresh seal meat and the feel of the air when the weather turns cold on Baffin Island. But he's willing to sacrifice all that to become a social worker in his home town.

Recently filled by a person from the South, it had been four years since the North Baffin community even had a social worker. It's been even longer since someone who speaks Inuktitut and understands the culture of the hamlet was hired.

While Natanine is uneasy about discouraging the efforts of Southerners who come to work in Clyde River, he understands the contribution he will make when he comes home to work.

"It's valuable," said Natanine. "It's easier when you're helped by someone you know," he said.

Homegrown help

That's a sentiment echoed by Beverly Illauq, the co-ordinator of the Ilisaqsivik Society, which is the hub of healing and healthy families in Clyde River.

"There's no doubt that any person who becomes skilled in social work or developing the human capital of our community benefits our community, the whole region and the whole territory," said Illauq.

"We are in desperate need of social workers who understand the social and cultural context of our community and who can speak to clients in their own language. That's very important," she said.

Illauq said she is proud of Natanine's efforts and happy his family is adjusting well to life outside of Nunavut.

Settled now, the adjustment has taken some time for the young family of five. Natanine has a tough course load and was plagued with financial worries up until last month when he learned he was chosen winner of Nunavut Power Corporation's Laura Ulluriaq Scholarship. The $5,000 endowment means less dollar stress for Natanine during his second semester at Canadore College.

"The Nunavut government's sponsorship is not enough," said Natanine, a recipient of the GN's Financial Assistance for Nunavut Students (FANS) program.

"I get only $165 a month for rent ... my rent is $850."

More than money

Natanine said the scholarship was especially meaningful because he knew Laura Ulluriaq personally.

Ulluriaq died suddenly in 2000 after a brief but stellar career with the government. She worked hard planning the division of NWT Power and had a reputation as a tough negotiator driven to protect the interests of other Inuit.

NPC conceived the idea of the scholarship as a way of paying tribute to Ulluriaq and expressing their respect for her work.

Natanine said he is honoured to receive an award in Ulluriaq's name.

"I knew Laura for a little bit. She was a really nice person," said Natanine. "That's why I made a really nice application."

Natanine's one-page essay was chosen by a committee established by NPC.

"The committee picked Jerry's essay based on the strength of his submission," said company president Rick Blennerhassett.

"We believe he's an excellent candidate and we hope we can find others of the same quality in the future."

The scholarship will continue to be awarded annually to Nunavummiut enrolled in college or university. Blennerhassett said a list of criteria and pamphlets were being developed. Submissions will be sought in the spring and summer and the award handed out in the fall.

Blennerhassett said it is the very least they could do to commemorate Ulluriaq. "There are some things you do that give you satisfaction. This is one of them."