Paula White
Northern News Services

INUVIK (May 07/99) - The term "wishy washy" does not exist in Cathy MacAskill's vocabulary. When she wants something, she goes after it.

About five years ago, she set out to become a recreation co-ordinator. This week, she graduates from the Recreation Leaders Program at Aurora College in Inuvik.

Next week, she goes to work.

MacAskill moved to the North six years ago. She worked at Tim Horton's in Yellowknife, which is owned by her brother Dennis. It wasn't too long, however, before she became restless and began asking around about getting into the recreation business.

"I'm a great believer in having some hands-on experience before going to school," she said.

One name that kept coming up was Tausia Lal, the recreation co-ordinator in Fort Resolution. One thing led to another and before she knew it, MacAskill was on her way to Fort Resolution, where she spent the next year and a half volunteering for the recreation department. At the same time, she was getting first-hand knowledge of what it was like to be a recreation co-ordinator in a community, which is MacAskill's ultimate goal.

"I would like to be...a recreation co-ordinator in one of the communities," she said. "Doesn't matter which one or where."

MacAskill said working with Lal was a great asset in more ways than one. Not only is Lal recreation co-ordinator, she has been a co-ordinator of the Regional Winter Games and the Arctic Winter Games. While in Fort Resolution, MacAskill helped establish an after-school program. She also did a lot of coaching in soccer and badminton.

"I love to coach," she commented.

After a year and half in Fort Resolution, MacAskill decided it was time to go to school. She did check out some southern universities, but didn't feel there was enough practical experience offered. She opted for the Recreation Leaders Program in Inuvik instead.

"I wanted to go to a college that was small enough that I could feel comfortable in. I didn't want to be one of those numbers in a university."

It turned out to be a good choice. MacAskill fit right in.

"I really liked the Recreation Leaders Program up here," she said. "They're trained to fit the needs of the community."

MacAskill travels to Yellowknife next week to go to work for the NWT Softball Association. She worked for the association last year as well, as part of her summer practicum. Her job was to teach the fundamentals of softball skills through clinics, held in all the communities in the Kitikmeot region (except Cambridge Bay).

"I got to travel all over the North giving ball clinics, doing the job that I love to do," she said. "The highlight of it was not only seeing kids achieve something they didn't think they were able to, seeing the people and the community and the culture. I guess those were my highlights."

This year, MacAskill will visit western communities. She's looking forward to that as well.

Recently, MacAskill found out she won the Student Leadership Award given by the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. The award honours a student graduating from any post-secondary institution in the recreation, parks or physical education field who has made a significant contribution to recreation and park services through their volunteer activities, work experience and studies. MacAskill was pleased to get the award, but said it wasn't something she was going after.

"It's something I do because I want to do it," she explained. "By volunteering and helping, I think that's one of the biggest gifts you can give. Your time."

Still and all, she was pleased.

"It was nice to be recognized."

Two other Inuvik residents were also recognized by the NWT Recreation and Parks Association. Allen Jones, who has worked for the town for the past 10 years, received the Facility Excellence Award. Jones is responsible for the recreation complex, parks and playgrounds.

Gordon Johnston was awarded an honourary life membership by the association. He has been a member for its entire 10-year existence, and was one of the original board members. He was also its second president. Johnston has been active in the recreation field both in the NWT and Saskatchewan. For the past number of years, he has been a director in the Recreation Leaders Program at Aurora College in Inuvik.