Funded by the federal Department of Justice, the Restitution Peace Project (a model for academic achievement and crime prevention) will be delivered at 10 schools in Nunavut and the NWT during a five-year period.

Saskatoon author Diane Gossen (Restitution), is the program's main trainer.

Leo Ussak elementary school and Maani Ulujuk middle school were visited by project co-ordinator Lynn Taylor and project assistant Arlene Bell, both of Yellowknife, along with trainer Dr. Jeff Grumley, a Chicago psychologist.

Taylor lived in Rankin from 1979-89.

She says classroom activities are conducted to help students solve problems, fix mistakes and learn about who they want to be as individuals.

"Children, teachers and parents learn how to meet their own needs without hurting that ability in others," says Taylor.

"If a child is teasing someone else -- it's fun for the person doing the teasing, but it's hurting the other person and their need for belonging.

"The children learn how to have fun and interact so that they're being helpful."

The Restitution Peace Project can be introduced to students from kindergarten all the way to Grade 12.

The program has shown the ability to reduce discipline issues, raise student achievement and create a more positive atmosphere.

Taylor says the project helps children learn to manage themselves, rather than being disciplined by others.

"We hope the program will help kids stay in school longer by making it a more welcoming place.

"It reduces bullying and helps build a caring school community."

The project is now in its second year. In all, trainers will visit participating schools about 10 times to conduct training and support work.

A resource kit is left to help teachers use the lessons until the trainers' next visit.

"There's a lot of practical components the teachers learn to use in class and there's areas we hope to see the parents use, as well.

"I'm really happy the Rankin schools decided to participate in the project because it's lots of fun to come back and help out in a place that used to be home."