Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (Sep 30/02) - Marlene Willie, now 18, gave birth when she was 15 years old.

News/North: You're 18 years old now?

Marlene Willie: Yes.

N/N: And you got pregnant when you were 15?

MW: Yes.

N/N: How did you know you were pregnant?

MW: I was ill and vomiting all the time.

N/N: Did you think you were sick at first?

MW: I thought so. That went on for three months.

N/N: Did you tell anyone about what was happening?

MW: My best friend. She didn't know how to answer me. We were both young. She is still my best friend.

N/N: You didn't tell your parents what was happening?

MW: After I went to the nursing station and the nurse told me I was pregnant, then I told them.

N/N: Did you know you were pregnant before the nurse told you?

MW: I did. My tummy was getting bigger when I laid down on my back.

N/N: What feelings were going through your head?

MW: Lots of things -- sadness, depression, anger. I was confused about my parents and what they were going to say about me being pregnant at 15 years old.

I was angry at myself because I was so young and got into a relationship when I was so young.

N/N: Did you know what you were doing could make you pregnant?

MW: Yes, but I wasn't being careful.

N/N: How did your boyfriend react?

MW: He talked about keeping the baby. He seemed so happy. He didn't feel the things I felt. He just felt happy about me being pregnant.

N/N: Did you want to keep the baby at that time?

MW: No, I didn't want to have anything to do with it until it came out.

N/N: When did you finally tell your parents?

MW: My mom works at the nursing station. When the nurse told me I was pregnant, I was walking to the highway and my mom was curious about finding out what was wrong with me.

I told her I was pregnant. She just cried and then said nothing. She said everything would be all right, but nothing else.

N/N: She didn't encourage you to give it up or have an abortion?

MW: They don't believe in abortion.

N/N: What happened when you travelled to Iqaluit for an ultrasound?

MW: I had to go by myself. My mom didn't come with me. I don't know why.

N/N: You didn't ask her?

MW: No, I was afraid to ask her. I didn't really think about it at first, but when the baby came out, I was sad that I went alone. My mother didn't go with me or anyone.

N/N: Were you alone for the birth too?

MW: No, my boyfriend came with me.

N/N: How did you feel when you saw the baby?

MW: I wanted to keep it. I just wanted to keep it. It was a girl.

N/N: Did you end up keeping it?

MW: No, my mother was in charge, not me.

I didn't have a choice about whether I wanted to keep it or not.

N/N: Your mother didn't want you to keep it?

MW: No, she said it was for my own good, and good for my career or if I wanted to go to college.

She said I would have to give it to someone and keep on with my education.

N/N: Who has the baby?

MW:: My ex-boyfriend's (father of the baby) mother.

N/N: Do you ever see your baby?

MW: No, she's down in Iqaluit.

N/N: How do you feel now? Do you miss her sometimes?

MW: I did miss her for two years. I was crying and wanting to get her back. I went to the church and told the pastor I was crying all the time. I wanted him to pray for me so I wouldn't feel the things I was feeling. I just healed.

N/N: Now you feel better about it?

MW: Yes.

N/N: What are you doing now?

MW: I just finished school. Now, I'm writing for a magazine.