Neils Christensen
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (May 24/04) - He's only 23, but Robby Qammaniq has faced a lot of challenges to get to where he is today. Through his experiences, he hopes to be a role model for youth, and prove that it is possible to achieve goals if you are willing to work at it.

Qammaniq has gone from his home, in Arctic Bay, to finishing his first year at Trent University in Peterborough, Ont.

"School was great this year," he said over the phone from Peterborough. "I passed all my courses and now I'm taking some summer classes."

Qammaniq is working toward a Bachelor of Science and plans to eventually go to medical school and become a doctor.

"Trying to keep up with my school work is hard but I think I'm doing pretty good," he said. "Writing lab reports is probably the hardest for me."

Struggle to move forward

It hasn't been an easy journey.

While growing up in Arctic Bay, Qammaniq said college was probably the last thing that he ever imaged that he would do.

"I was hooked on drugs and alcohol," he said. "I didn't really want to do anything. I was a lazy person.

"Now I try not to miss any of my classes."

With the help from family and friends, Qammaniq turned his life around and graduated from high school.

"When I finished high school I felt like I had to move on. I was determined to go to university."

He said Nunavut Youth Consulting, in Arctic Bay, gave him a lot of support and encouragement to go to Peterborough for more education.

Even with his high school diploma, Qammaniq wasn't ready for university classes.

"My Grade 12 courses didn't prepare me for university."

In 2001 he enroled in some part-time courses at Trent. Although he stuck out the year, he said he didn't do very well.

Qammaniq said that first year was probably the hardest. Not only were the classes difficult, but he was in an unfamiliar city with very little support.

After that first year he realized he needed to go back to high school for more classes.

Instead of giving up on his dream, Qammaniq moved to Rankin Inlet, enroled in Grade 12 and finished courses in chemistry, biology and physics.

While school is constantly a challenge, Qammaniq said another difficulty is being so far way from his roots in Nunavut.

"It's hard being away from my family. I miss eating seal meat. That's something I can't get down here," he said.

He added the sacrifices he is making are going to help him for the future. He is trying to spread the message, especially to youth in Arctic Bay, that furthering your education is possible.

"I've tried to be a role model for youth," he said. "Some people are afraid to try, but I'm proof that anything is possible."

Inspiring others

Back home in Arctic Bay, Qammaniq's move to university is having an affect on others.

"I really look up to Robby," said Jeremy Attagutsiuk, Qammaniq's cousin. "I think he is doing a good job. Not many Inuit go to university and he shows that anything is possible."

Ivan Attagutsiuk is enroled in the pre-trades maths and science course at the learning centre in Arctic Bay.

"I'm hoping to join Robby at Trent University very soon," he said. "I want to go to university to become a lawyer.

When Qammaniq achieves his goal of becoming a doctor, he plans to return to Nunavut.