Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Jan 04/02) - Greg Sim is the first to admit he has big shoes to fill as the new director for the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.

Sim came to Rankin Inlet when his wife, Paula, accepted an account manager's position with the local branch of the Royal Bank.

A former Lion's Club president and Esso station manager, the amicable Saskatchewan native says he brings plenty of fundraising experience to his new position.

Sim says he's inherited a solid operation from former director Myrna Michon.

He would, however, like to see the centre more involved with community outreach programs.

"We have to get into the schools with a stronger presence and reach our kids with a healthy lifestyles message," says Sim.

"Education is important to me. We have to get these kids to stay in school so that some day many of them will have university degrees and Nunavut will be wholly supported by Inuit.

"If we're going to fill the Nunavut Government with Inuit staff, we have to start working hard to keep local youth in school."

Sim says he'd also like to see a comprehensive support network put in place to assist students who travel south for post-secondary studies.

He says from what he's learned so far, making it easier for Nunavut students to concentrate on post-secondary studies is one of the biggest challenges facing the territory.

"Students travel to the south and get swamped with not only the educational aspect, but also dealing with culture shock and the absence of friends and family.

"They don't have anyone to help them over that hurdle and that's tough."

Sim says he's excited about the Friendship Centre's new preschool program which will be starting shortly.

"Coming in with no previous structuring can be tough for kindergarten students.

"It's a shock when all of a sudden some person is telling you what to do and your day becomes structured.

"The pre-school program will really help a lot of these kids through that adjustment period."