REPULSE BAY - The Angutiit Makigiangninga (Men Rising Up) men's group of Coral Harbour reached out to the community of Repulse Bay earlier this month.

The group spent about two days in Repulse holding meetings and a public service.

Spokesperson Noel Kaludjak said the trip went better than expected, even though the group lost two days due to bad weather.

Kaludjak said Repulse was very welcoming and accepting of the group.

He said Mayor Donat Milortok supported the visit and attended the meetings.

"All three Inuit church leaders were there to support us, as well as a number of elders, middle-aged and young men," said Kaludjak.

"Pretty much every age group was represented and the community was very involved with our work.

"The ladies from Embrace Life made some bannock, cooked some snacks and brought coffee so we always had something available during our meetings. The entire community seemed to support our visit."

Kaludjak said the five Coral men were joined by one from Arviat for the trip, while three from Baker Lake couldn't make it due to bad weather.

He said about 43 Repulse men joined them for the meetings.

"The Repulse men saw how organized the meetings are, and understood everyone who attends must feel secure.

"Everything said is held in strict confidence.

"What's said at the meetings, stays at the meetings. Everyone must sign a confidentiality agreement before taking part."

Kaludjak said the group went straight to the community hall upon arriving in Repulse and held meetings until 11 p.m.

He said the number who attended would have been much bigger if the group could have stayed longer.

"I had to stop the first meeting at 11 p.m. because you need your rest, so we started at 9 a.m. the next day and went until 5 p.m.

"Then we invited everyone to a public service, where we explained what we do and the kinds of things that can go on at our meetings. The Repulse men are enthusiastic about starting their own group and meeting once or twice a month, and I'm very confident they will.

"Arviat and Baker are asking us to come back again, but we still haven't visited Rankin, Whale or Chester yet, so we'll play it by ear."

Kaludjak said another big gathering will be held in Coral in August 2011.

He said the group's approach continues to get good results, and more and more Kivalliq men want to become better husbands, fathers and members of their community.

"We've been helped in Coral, and the men we help should help others so this keeps getting bigger and bigger.

"Once we're able to help establish a men's group in each community, they'll be able to help themselves and won't need us anymore. We're teaching men to be teachers themselves so we don't have to keep going back to their community.

"We've been supported by many people, including John McFee of Kivalliq Air who does everything he can to assist us, and it's important they know how much we appreciate it."

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