Christine Kay
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Nov 25/02) - One Inuit legend tells the story of violence within a community. It also shows what led up to the violence.

The legend is about a young Inuit boy named Kaugjagjuk who no one cared for.

Kaugjagjuk's nostrils were stretched because people would put their fingers in his nose and pull him around.

The boy lived with some dogs in a small entrance to the community snow house because he had no friends.

Kaujagjauk grew up, and became independent and strong. He grew up all alone.

One day, the people in Kaugjagjuk's community were really mean to him. They tried to pull on his nostrils but this time Kaugjagjuk didn't let them. He picked up a big bolder and threw it at them. They all run away. No one ever bugged Kaugjagjuk again.

Elders say Kaugjagjuk's story teaches many lessons.

Numbers rising

In Nunavut, statistics indicate many young people need to learn those lessons.

In 2000, 60 young males in Nunavut were charged under the Young Offenders Act compared to 35 in 1999. Young males are more likely to commit crimes of violence than young females.

Statistics also show that crimes against people are increasing among youth while crimes against property are decreasing.

In 1999, 149 youth were charged with property crimes and in 2000 there were only 99.

Doug Sage, director of health and social services for Iqaluit, said he believes people need to be taught what causes anger.

If Kaugjagjuk would have looked back on the incident and asked himself why he got angry, he probably would have thought of embarrassment, revenge, fear and loneliness.

"We need to teach people what those triggers are and how a person goes from raw emotion to anger," said Sage.