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RANKIN INLET
The Coral Harbourbased Angutiit Makigiangninga (Men Rising Up) group made a strong impression with its first visit to Rankin Inlet earlier this month.

The Rankin group is going to keep coming together every Friday evening at the Kivalliq Counselling and Services building, beginning at 7 p.m.

Sam Tutanuak has taken an active role as a contact for the newest chapter of the men's group.

Tutanuak said the group has been a long time coming for the men of Rankin.

He said the meeting was a real eye-opener for many of those who attended.

"They saw just that initial weekend helped them physically, emotionally and mentally," said Tutanuak.

"You saw a bunch of men with their heads down during the first meeting and, two days later, their heads were held high again.

"To see this finally happening in Rankin, to my mind, is a major accomplishment."

Tutanuak said Men Rising Up differs from other programs because you deal with other men on the same level who truly know what you're going through.

He said they've dealt with similar issues, whether it's marital problems, sibling problems, work problems, or whatever the case may be.

"There was a huge connect during the weekend and a true feeling of wanting the group to continue.

"It's a volunteer approach; not a Department of Justice command where you're ordered to attend an AA program after getting in trouble with the law while drinking.

"This is a totally different approach that works because it seems to bring in men who want to be there to work out their issues, not because someone ordered or told them to go."

Tutanuak said a number of men who attended the gathering were almost shocked to realize they weren't alone with their issue.

He said once that realization took place, they were eager to learn how others dealt with the situation and approached their healing.

"It seemed to impact even more when it was someone from a different community who was dealing with the very same issues.

"There's always someone who needs a shoulder to lean on or an ear to speak to and this group provides that.

"There were guys at the meeting who thought nobody would understand what they were going through and, when they heard the words come out from someone who truly did understand, that just lifted them right up.

"When you're in that position, it feels like the weight of the whole world just came off you and tears of joy come out because you're not alone anymore."

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