Rankin Inlet (Dec 17/03) - Hundreds of people passed through the community centre in Rankin Inlet this past week to check out the exhibits at the Dec. 7 - 9 Career Fair.

In addition to getting laughs a plenty, First Nations comedian Don Burnstick tackled a number of social issues during his visit to the Career Fair in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The fair was funded by Kivalliq Partners in Development through the federal Department of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada.

The fair kicked off with an evening of laughs supplied by First Nations comedians Don Burnstick and DerRic Starlite.

The two also visited the local elementary school, and conducted a workshop for students at the community centre.

Burnstick, the youngest of 15 children, used his comedy as an ice breaker to address a number of social issues with the youth.

"I grew up in a home with a lot of drinking and violence, so I can relate to kids in a community who are living in that same situation," said Burnstick.

"Aboriginal people have the highest rates of suicide and teenage pregnancy in the country, and these are serious issues that have to be addressed.

"One way of doing that is showing kids that there are opportunities out there, and giving them role models from their own culture to look up to and emulate."

Fair organizer Patrick Tagoona said he was impressed with both the number of people who attended the fair and the level of interest shown in the various career booths.

"We had a number of students turn up, as well as a lot of older people in the community," said Tagoona.

"There was a lot of interest shown in the booths, including the Kivalliq Inuit Association, Red River College, Nunavut Arctic College and the Canadian Forces, just to name a few."

Sincerity appreciated

Tagoona spoke highly of the job done by both Starlite and Burnstick during their time in Rankin Inlet.

He said both entertainers were warmly received by the community and the level of caring shown by Burnstick, in particular, did not go unnoticed.

"You could tell he was really sincere in wanting to help any way he could.

"He took every opportunity to interact with the community.

"When he found out about Barney Tootoo holding the floor hockey at the gym, he even went up and spent an evening playing floor hockey with the kids.

"It was great to see him take such an interest in them."