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CHESTERFIELD INLET - A community-based program on preventing bullying and developing social skills was delivered in Chesterfield Inlet this past month.

The program was designed and delivered by Susan Buchanan, who spent five days in Chester to introduce it to Victor Sammurtok School and the community in general.

Buchanan has also introduced her program to Taloyoak, Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk, Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk, Kimmirut, Whale Cove and Rankin Inlet.

The program teaches students social, friendship and life skills as part of regular school programming.

It's designed to empower children and youth with stronger social-education skills. Utilizing these skills, children can deal with bullying situations in a socially acceptable and nonviolent manner.

The program can also help them improve their communication, learning and relationship skills.

Buchanan holds a master's degree in education, and has worked across Canada in First Nations and Inuit communities.

Her program uses a community-based approach that includes working with students, school staff, daycare educators and parents.

The parenting workshop on how to raise a bully-free family is open to the entire community.

Buchanan said students enjoy the program.

She said bullying happens because of problems in relationships, whether as an inability to relate to one-another or to simply get along.

"This program works well with Inuit values, and students, educators and parents all relate to it well," said Buchanan.

"Many parents in Nunavut have told me they've seen positive differences in their child's behaviour after taking the program.

"They see their kids getting along better with others in both the school environment and the community in general."

Buchanan said many kids she's talked to in Nunavut have been victims of bullying at one time or another.

She said bullying remains a major problem in Canadian schools.

"Bullying has been on the rise during the past decade and statistics show there's been a noticeable gender shift, as well.

"It used to be females in Grade 3 to 12 would have high instances of bullying and being bullied.

"Now the boys are more prevalent in that role, which is a major change in dynamics from about three years ago."

Buchanan said many women have paid attention to girl relationships because they tend to be so difficult.

She said girls have worked more on their friendship skills recently, while parents worked more on their relationships.

"We seem to have forgotten about the boys because they got along differently than the girls did.

"But we really need to focus on the boys now, as well as the girls."

Victor Sammurtok principal Allan Pitcher said Buchanan's program materials contain many Inuit values.

He said he's looking forward to seeing the results after the program has been used for a while.

"Even though it's called a bullying program, it's much broader because of its premise that if you don't teach proper social skills, maybe what's being classified as bullying is simply students not knowing how to act properly," said Pitcher.

"I really like the overall philosophy and length of the program.

"It's continually implemented over a period of many, many weeks.

"The course is presented in a logical, pleasant and easily-understood manner."

Pitcher said he has little doubt the program will prove itself effective if properly implemented.

He said all youth, no matter where they are, need work with their social skills so things don't deteriorate into bullying situations.

"The program covers all aspects of bullying, so I liked what I saw very much.

"I also like the idea of additional programs to compliment what a school is doing in the community, such as with day cares and adults.

"It's truly constructed to be a community program and that's a significant factor towards its success."

Pitcher said both his staff members and students interacted well with Buchanan, who he described as having "a terrific rapport."

He said he was amazed by what the kids had already internalized from spending time with her.

"Our staff is very enthusiastic because the program includes a blitz of activities you can do with the preliminary skills.

"We're going to start that as a school-wide project almost right away.

"We'd enjoy having her back after we've utilized the program for a year or so."