John Curran
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 13, 2007

PAULATUK - For 17-year-old Marion Green the summer away from school hasn't been a time of relaxation.

The youth has taken a job with the Paulatuk Housing Association and has been kept busy with the various maintenance projects that must be done around the community while the weather is warm.

"Lately I've been cleaning water tanks," she said. "We've done 40 of them in the last eight days - I've got one more to go."

Once her working vacation is over she'll be heading into Grade 10, which is something she's looking forward to a great deal.

"My favourite subjects are math and language arts," she said.

But before school starts she's got her sights set on taking the next step in her athletic career. Green is gearing up for the Arctic Winter Games tryouts in Inuvik later this month and hopes to crack the NWT lineup for the Arctic Sports squad.

If she can keep focused on her goal she knows she should have a good chance to make the team.

"I was on the team that went to the Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse," she said. "It was great, I made new friends from all over the country."

This modest teen did more than socialize - she won the silver medal in the Alaskan high kick with an effort of 1.52 metres.

Sports are a big part of her life. Baseball, basketball and volleyball are just a few she enjoys playing at Angik school.

When she's not playing to win, Green enjoys getting out on the land with her friends and family.

"I like going out cooking, cleaning and setting nets for fish," she said. "We catch mainly char and whitefish - the char are my favourite to eat."

She spends a lot of time listening to her elders when she goes out on the land and loves learning Inuvialuit traditions.

"My Granddad and Auntie Liz have taught me a lot," she said. "They've shown me what gear you need to go out and how to survive when you're out there."