Kent Driscoll
Northern News Services
Monday, April 9, 2007

RESOLUTE - There are 25 kids aged six to 10 packed into a space the size of a basketball court. Open gym at the Resolute community hall is important the youth of the community, and their parents. Children need exercise, and you can't let them play outside in April when you live in Nunavut's second most Northern hamlet.

If it is Friday night in Resolute, you'll find 18-year-old Tommy Salluviniq in the middle of a three-ring circus. Kids are talking, shouting, running at top speed, falling down, crying, laughing, skipping, and shooting hoops, all at top volume. Salluviniq isn't fazed; he has been the ringmaster of this circus for the last six months.

"We get a lot of kids here. I don't count them. I don't know how I do it, I just do," laughs Salluviniq when asked about his job. "I've always wanted to work with kids, since I was a kid," said Salluviniq.

When a shoving match breaks out between two of his young charges, he demonstrates his negotiating skill. He lines up the boys, tells them in a calm clear voice that they doing something wrong, and gets them to apologize to each other. Minutes later, they are playing together again, all without Tommy having to raise his voice. He just called time-out.

"They're good kids, I don't have any problems," said Salluviniq, who knows all of the kids in town by name. He grew up in Resolute, and his mother Susan is the mayor. He says the town has changed over his 18 years.

"There is less alcohol here now, but more drugs, mostly marijuana," said Salluviniq.

He may be the mayor's son, but he has a mind of his own. His mother thinks an arena is the most needed recreational facility in the community. Tommy agrees an arena is important, but has his eyes on another capital project.

"I'd say a swimming pool (is most needed). When you are out boating, and if the boat sinks, you'd have to learn how to swim," said Salluviniq.

He'll even make a joke at his mother's expense. When asked if he would vote for her, he says, "I guess," before failing to stifle a chuckle.

People should visit Resolute, says Salluviniq.

"Everyone should know how nice and quiet it is," said Salluviniq.

He had to say it twice; this reporter couldn't hear him over the noise the kids were making.