Kathleen Lippa
Northern News Services

Cape Dorset (Apr 05/04) - The school yard bully has no place in Cape Dorset.

At least that's what Dianna Patryluk hopes now that a batch of students just celebrated the completion of an anti-bullying program at their school.

"I believe very strongly in this," said Patryluk.

"It's getting kids used to being good and getting attention for being good," she said. "It starts at home."

About 400 people came together in Cape Dorset on March 27 at Peter Pitseolak school to congratulate students and teachers who took part in the anti-bullying program, led by Patryluk.

"I want it to make a difference," said the mayor, Matthew Jaw. "If we continue, maybe it will."

Jaw said he likes the program, and even elders enjoyed listening to the young people when they got up and spoke about bullying.

"They learn a lot from the young students, from what they were saying when they were reading their letters about bullying," said Jaw.

Martha Jaw, Matthew's wife, welcomed everyone to the assembly. There were speeches by the mayor, David Charette of the RCMP, Keith Wilson, the principal of Peter Pitseolak school, Ivan Payne, the principal of Sam Pudlat school, and Patryluk.

She is currently training a new anti-bullying program leader at the elementary school level to keep the program going.

Live music was provided by the Kinngait band.

There were snacks and lots of gifts were handed out to everyone, including fleece hats Patryluk made, as well as anti-bullying pins and cards.

Anti-bullying puppet show

There was even an anti-bullying puppet show put on by Arctic College. It featured early childhood education students Kitty Ezekiel, Annie Parr Sr., Alasua Sagiatuk, Enuk Jaw, Inuluk Samayualia and Kanayuk Bell.

Prizes given

Special prizes rounded out the evening, including Nike clothing, and a couple of airline tickets to Iqaluit provided by Kenn Borek and First Air.

The anti-bullying program facilitated by Patryluk was supported by Michele Petite at Health and Social Services and the community's two schools, Peter Pitseolak and Sam Pudlat.

The program starts up again at the elementary school level on April 19.