Lynn Lau
Northern News Services

Aklavik (Feb 25/02) - When visitors enter Moose Kerr school, they often notice something about the place that's just a little different.

Velma Illasiak is Moose Kerr school's first aboriginal principal. - Lynn Lau/NNSL photo

Something about the atmosphere makes it light and cheerful.

"Often, the first thing they'll say is, 'this school feels so pleasant -- there's something here,'" says principal Velma Illasiak. "But there's nothing physical, it's just a regular school. There's something deeper that people are sensing. It's not tangible. It's something stronger."

Illasiak thinks it's the connection to the community that gives the school its strength. It's that connection she's been working on since she took the reins as the school's first aboriginal principal.

Illasiak was born in Aklavik and grew up in communities throughout the NWT. Her father was a wildlife officer who had to move locations every few years.

The family always returned to Aklavik for summer holidays and other vacations. When Illasiak graduated from Grade 12 in 1979, she immediately returned to her community.

She became a social worker, serving in the community for 11 years before changing direction in 1993. That's when she started working in the school as a counsellor.

"I think our kids really are our future resource. I enjoyed my service to the community as a social worker, but I needed a new challenge."

In 1997 she decided to return to school to become a teacher. She moved to Whitehorse to attend Yukon College and when she received her diploma, she returned to the school in 1999. The following year she applied to be vice-principal, but when the position of principal also came open, she got the job.

Over the last two years Illasiak has been focusing on bringing the community back into the school. Above all, Illasiak says she wants to meld the culture of the school with the culture of the community.

"If we can expose them to this environment and get them interested in becoming teachers, we're complementing the community, and hopefully strengthening the school by some day having more of our community members become teachers, assistants or volunteers."