Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Pond Inlet (Nov 22/99) - A foundation formed in memory of a much-loved Toronto couple will help Pond Inlet's Reepa Tagak stay in school.

On the verge of abandoning Grade 11 because caring for her child and attending school at the same time was too costly, Tagak can now continue her studies.

"I just feel happy to know that I can quit worrying about money," said Tagak, whose vision of becoming a teacher doesn't seem so unattainable anymore.

"It's going to help me and my child a lot. It will help me go on with school and I'm excited about that," said Tagak, 23.

The realization of these dreams and seeing Tagak's prospects improve so dramatically is exactly the kind of thing that Mark Seltzer and Marilyn Chan's family and friends had in mind when they established the Seltzer Chan Pond Inlet Foundation.

Set up after the couple drowned while kayaking in Pond Inlet in July 1998, the charitable organization, which will support a different project or individual in need of financial assistance each year, is the result of more than $50,0000 contributed in their memory.

"We know how much good Mark and Marilyn did in the world. This, in a sense, is carrying that on," said Dorene Seltzer, Mark's mother and a foundation member.

The idea to establish the incorporated charity was born when family and friends witnessed a tremendous outpouring of grief and support during a memorial service in Toronto. That, coupled with the generosity and empathy the Seltzers experienced in Pond Inlet during the search and rescue, urged them to do the legwork for the foundation.

"The foundation allowed us not to think of the accident. Instead of the conversation being about those circumstances, it changed to what can we do to build on what happened. It was something progressive instead of destructive," said Gareth Seltzer, Mark's brother.

Keeping in mind Mark and Marilyn's respect for the North, it was decided that forming a committee in Pond Inlet was the best way to ensure funds were directed to appropriate causes.

Enter Helen Ferrigan, the hamlet's economic development officer and a committee member.

"(Foundation members) were concerned that being from the south, they might not understand the needs of the community," said Ferrigan.

"They wanted input from the community on how their money could best be spent."

The committee of nine met and submitted several suggestions. After much deliberation, the foundation members decided that assisting a high school student or students with their day-care costs would be their first project.

Stuart van Oostveen, the school principal, said their choice would go a long way to ensuring the success of young women in the community.

"I know it's going to keep at least one student in school," said van Oostveen.

"If the student doesn't have the money or the spouse to help, they drop out. The Seltzer Chan Foundation is helping someone finish their high school education."

While the Seltzers cannot make it to Pond Inlet for the presentation of the $3,200 cheque during the grand opening of the day-care centre and the newly-built Nasivvik high school, they do intend to travel North this summer to place a memorial plaque on the inukshuk they built for Mark and Marilyn in 1998.

To make a donation to the foundation or for more information, visit the Web site at www.itravelbooks.com or contact foundation members at george@elegant.com.