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RANKIN INLET
A successful pilot project will be returning to Rankin Inlet this coming summer.

The Canada World Youth (CWY) pilot in Rankin this past summer was the first time a CWY project was held in Nunavut.

The youthful volunteers set up shop in Rankin before heading to Peru to finish their program.

Supervisor Lori Tagoona of Rankin said she was very happy with how this year's overall program went, but especially CWY's first visit to Rankin.

She said the most important aspects of the beginning of the program was for the volunteers to build relationships with people in Rankin, learn about the local culture, and understand the issues and realities of the community.

"Those were accomplished throughout the program," said Tagoona.

"None of the volunteers ever expected to be in Nunavut, so they came really excited and ready to take on anything.

"They were happy to be in Rankin."

Nuatti Kablutsiak of Arviat was the only volunteer from the Kivalliq who took part in the program.

Tagoona said the change in Kablutsiak during the program was wonderful to see.

She said the experience did wonders in increasing Kablutsiak's self-confidence.

"Nuatti couldn't even say her name in front of us at the beginning of the program.

"Then she sang at a talent show when we were in Rankin and, at our last meeting with the community in Peru, she was the MC, so she really came out of her shell.

"She talked about her interests during the program, which include taking Northern Youth Abroad and another Canadian roots program focused on bridging relations between aboriginal and non-aboriginal people.

"She also wants to finish the first-year program at Nunavut Sivuniksavut."

Tagoona said CWY seems quite happy with the pilot program's outcome.

She said one of the reasons she was hired was her relationship with Rankin.

"It was thought more doors would open because I knew people in Rankin and I think that did really help out.

"I'm pretty confident they'll be doing the program in Rankin again this summer, but I won't be supervising it.

"I'm taking human rights and global studies at the University of Winnipeg, but the program's profile has been raised and enough put in place that I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job."

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