 | E-mail this story |  | Write letter to editor |  | Order a classified ad |
| E-mail this story | | Write letter to editor | | Order a classified ad |
Christine Kay
Northern News Services
 Lorne McLeod lives in Sanikiluaq and works as a social worker. He said being in the community is one of the best experiences of his life. - Christine Kay/NNSL photo |
News/North: How long have you've been in Sanikiluaq?
Lorne McLeod: It's a year this month. This is my first experience in the North.
N/N: Where were you working before?
LM: I worked for the Department of Community Services for the province of Nova Scotia. I was situated in Halifax.
N/N: How did you get involved in social work?
LM: It just sort of evolved I guess. I just so happened that the types of jobs I got after university involved working with people. I took psychology in university.
N/N: What do you think of Sanikiluaq?
LM: I love it. I love working here. I think the people are good people to work with.
N/N: Are the issues you are presented with as a social worker in the North different to those you encounter in the South?
LM: It's not so much that the problems are different. It's more the resources available to deal with the problems that are different. People have issues with drugs, alcohol and sexual abuse.
N/N: So how do you make up for the lack of resources?
LM: I try to understand the difference in culture -- what works in the South doesn't automatically work here. I'm trying to reframe my experiences to fit the Northern culture instead of making it conform to the way it's done in the South.
N/N: How are you trying to learn about the culture?
LM: Last Christmas, I participated in the Christmas games. I try to go to all the functions put on by the community. I listen a lot. I ask questions. I particularly like to hear stories about how things used to be and how they evolved to the way they are now.
N/N: Is there anything else that helps?
LM: It helps that we all work together the police, the hamlet, and the community.
N/N: Are you involved in other parts of the community?
LM: I'm part of the Health and Social Services Committee and the Inter-agency Committee. We have a representative from the school, the hamlet, and the RCMP. It's just to get together to see how we can support each other in our work.
N/N: What's the most challenging part of your job?
LM: That's a tough question. The most challenging part is trying to provide service without adequate resources. It's important that people are able to access resources in their own community.
N/N: How do you feel after hearing so many sad stories?
LM: I think when I hear those stories, I always have a sense of joy. It's the first step in the healing journey. They're letting go of the pain they've kept bottled up often for many, many years.
I encourage people if they can to revisit those times in their life when things were difficult.
N/N: How many visits would you say you get in a month?
LM: In August, I had 70 office visits. That's just as the social worker.
N/N: What do you mean?
LM: I'm also the probation officer and the parole officer. I have regular visits with the RCMP, and the drug and alcohol co-ordinator.
N/N: Do you plan to stay in the North for a while?
LM: I'd like to retire in the North. I have eight or 10 years left until retirement and I'd like to finish out my working years in the North.
I like the environment, the experience and the opportunities.
N/N: What is your goal?
LM: What I'd like to be a part of is education. I'd like to help Inuit to acquire the skills they need to get this job or any other job currently filled by a Southerner.
N/N: What is your most memorable experience since you've been here?
LM: Eating raw seal. It may not be memorable for many people but it was for me. I didn't make it. I actually threw up. Every time I think of it, I still taste it. But no, I also went ice-fishing for the first time in my life on Boxing Day.
N/N: Have you tried any other country food since?
LM: Yes. I've tried raw sea urchins, muktaaq and caribou.
