CHESTERFIELD INLET
A group of elders from across the Kivalliq came together in Chesterfield Inlet to heal and share this past week.

The elders, 60 and older, were invited to the meeting by Chester's Charlotte Kattegatsiak, a resolution health-support worker for the Rankin Inlet-based Kivalliq Counselling and Support Services (KCSS).

Kattegatsiak said Health Canada approved her funding proposal for the event.

She said money was also provided by the Kivalliq Inuit Association to take the elders seal hunting and fishing for a day.

"I received funding through Agnico Eagle to pay the local elders to attend the meeting, and to have two cooks provide snacks during the day," said Kattegatsiak.

"Staff at Victor Sammurtok School did a wonderful job in providing the meals every day, and making sure everyone was comfortable.

"Our justice committee was very helpful in providing the meat and the health committee supplied some prizes for the elders.

"KCSS did a great (job) in supporting the meeting, with co-workers coming from Rankin and other communities to help out."

A total of 28 elders were active in the four-day meeting; also attended by two Health Canada counsellors.

Kattegatsiak said the elders talked about residential school, suicide and better living.

She said they also spent time talking to the students and giving them advice.

"They spoke to the youth about how to live better, but they talked mainly about the past.

"They talked about how they lived and how they were sent here on Twin Otters.

"And they also talked about abuse at residential school.

"Most of the students were keen to listen to the elders, so what happened here was a really good vibe."

Kattegatsiak said the students were quite interested in what the elders had to say about suicide.

She said they were also very attentive during the talks on residential school, which is part of their curriculum.

"The students were really taking in what the elders were saying.

"The elders said suicide was never the Inuit way, and the best advice, to me, they gave the kids was that all things pass.

"I couldn't have asked for better support in hosting this, even from hamlet council and the mayor, and the meeting was excellent because of that support.

"The students were very respectful of the elders, and most of them listened very carefully to what they were talking about and it did make an impact on them."