by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services
ARVIAT (OCT 07/96) - It might be the long, cold nights, a disregard for contraception or an undying love for children - everyone has their personal theory.
But for whatever reason, over the last three years, more than 150 children have been born to Arviat women.
"A lot of young teenagers want to have babies," said Rose Brown, regional nursing officer with the Keewatin Regional Health Board. "We've always averaged between 50 and 60 babies a year."
Brown said 22-percent of Arviat's total population is made up of women in their child-bearing years.
"There is certainly a higher birth rate up here," said Maureen Klenk, the acting nurse in charge at Arviat's Health Centre. "Why, I'm not exactly sure."
Women usually start having babies early in their teenage years and continue to have them into their late 30s and early 40s.
Many families in the south have children also, but usually no more than one or two. In Arviat, most middle-aged women have eight or nine youngsters running around.
Klenk recalled a recent nation-wide survey that cited the North as having more births than any other part of the country.
But Arviat families are getting smaller. Nowadays, Klenk said women are stopping at number four or five.
"They're keeping us busy and the children, they're all really cute," she said.
Babies don't interfere
But just because women in Arviat are having babies, it doesn't mean they're trading in their homework for housework.
A growing number of young girls who get pregnant leave school temporarily to have their baby and then return to school to continue their education. And the school is behind them.
"We have a really good daycare program at the school," Klenk said. "Some girls are wanting to get their education."
When children get old enough they are also sent to school, but the growing number of children is creating somewhat of a strain on available space at Levi Angmak elementary school in Arviat.
"The schools are certainly aware that the numbers (are on the rise)," said Klenk. "The elementary school is always crowded and they're always asking for more space."