Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 23/05) - Many students think bullying is a problem in Yellowknife schools, but say some teachers are unwilling to admit it is an issue.

"Our kids told us that bullying happens at Mildred Hall, but that when they go and tell staff, they will tell them to ignore them or to walk away," said Mildred Hall school counsellor Joanne Burns.

"That doesn't work," Burns said.

Peacemakers, a group established at Mildred Hall four years ago, is aimed at dealing with bullying.

Max Rossouw was one of about 80 students who attended a Peacemakers conference at Mildred Hall school that drew representatives from Range Lake North, NJ Macpherson, St. Joseph's and Weledeh.

The Grade 8 Mildred Hall student said students are getting together to learn how to stop bullying in school.

"Peacemakers has kids who wear yellow vests and go out into the yard at recess.

"If anyone needs help, they will help them," Rossouw said.

Peacemakers meet regularly to learn how to identify bullying behaviour and how to stop it.

"It helps a lot. I think kids like coming to us," said Grade 7 student Nicole Lawson, also a Peacemaker.

"We're not teachers, so kids don't feel they are going to get into trouble by telling, so they tell us and we help them," Lawson said.

Both students said bullying often happens on the playground and in the bathrooms. It takes the form of verbal teasing or stealing belongings and throwing them around.

Burns said the purpose of the conference is to share skills with other students and give them information about programs they can start in their own schools.

"My advice is don't be a bystander. We think it is up to the person being bullied to find a solution, but it's not.

"It's the bystander that gives the bully the power. If only one says something, the others will say that it isn't right," Burns said.

Bullying is most prevalent in Grades 5 and 6, she said.

Alexander Smith, a Grade 6 student at Weledeh, said bullying is a problem in his school.

"It's verbal and physical," Smith said. "We're hoping to start a Peacemakers group."

He said students often take the situation into their own hands, because "teachers really don't listen."

"They give them a positive reminder, which really doesn't help."

Grade 5 Weledeh student Michael Cook said pushing, punching and kicking are also part of bullying behaviours."We have to have our own program so when people go to us, we can tell them how to solve the problem," Cook said.

Sandra Bowden, principal of Range Lake North school, said they came to learn about Peacemakers.

She says she intends to establish the program at her school.