Repulse Bay (Dec 01/04) - Sandals are all the rage in Repulse Bay these days, thanks to the ongoing efforts of the City of Champions Lions Club in Edmonton, Alta.

The club has been sending Christmas gifts to Tusarvik for the past 11 years.

Grade 9 student Anna Marie Putulik helps Grade 2 student Cassien Sanertanut find a pair of sandals that fit at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

The Lions have been helping out in other areas, too, including sending a shipment of ice skates to the school for kids who couldn't afford them.

During discussions on getting the skates to Repulse, school principal Leonie Aissaoui mentioned there was a number of students at the school who didn't have good inside shoes to wear.

When this year's Christmas gifts arrived, they were accompanied by five boxes of shoes.

Aissaoui says she was a little worried when she saw most of the new footwear were sandals.

"It was funny because a number of our kids have really nice running shoes, but suddenly, all their shoes were too small, too big or hurting their feet," says Aissaoui.

"Everybody wanted a pair of new sandals, so we handed them out to everyone who asked."

Aissaoui says the Lions Club has become a true school benefactor.

A member even made a special allowance for Repulse kids in a worldwide contest.

"It's a drawing contest for peace and the top prize is to go to New York for the awards ceremony.

"When we saw the quality of the posters from past winners, we knew there was no way our kids could compete.

"But we started our own little contest here, sent the Lions our top three entries and they sent us a little gift for each one of them."

Rick Jackman has served two terms as president of the City of Champions Lions Club.

Jackman says the 25-member club takes great pride in being able to lend a helping hand to the Repulse students.

He says it's always exciting when the club receives correspondence from the kids.

"They always send us letters at Christmas telling us how they enjoyed their gift and what their holidays were like, which is just a joy to read about," says Jackman.

"One student even went around the hamlet with a video camera and sent us a tape, so we could see what the town looks like and learn a bit about what they do for fun."

Lions Club members know unemployment is high in Repulse and many families struggle to make ends meet.

Jackman says the club will continue to do anything it can to help make the kids' lives a little easier.

He says the work is all worthwhile every time a letter arrives in Edmonton from a Repulse child.

"It's just an overwhelming feeling to be able to make a little bit of a difference in their lives.

"But we've also received a lot of help from both Canadian North airlines and Calm Air.

"They've shipped everything we've sent to the kids in Repulse for the past 11 years, all free of charge.

"It's been a real team effort between us and the airlines. We couldn't have done it without their help."

Jackman says he's learned a lot about Repulse Bay from student letters.

He says although he appreciates how tough life can be on the Bay, he's also aware of the tremendous sense of community that exists there.

"Inuit are so close as families. They go hunting, fishing and camping together all the time.

"It's a lot of fun and quite interesting to read about how strong the family unit is.

"They're all so proud of what they do in their lives."

Jackman says southern media has a tendency to only report the negatives of life in Northern communities.

He says the letters the club receives allows its members to read about the positive aspects of Arctic life.

"We never get a letter about abuse or alcohol or substance use.

"The closest thing to negative I ever received was when one boy wrote to me to say he would appreciate it if we didn't send him a 3-D puzzle next Christmas because it wasn't his thing.

"So, I'll make sure we never send him one again."

Wanting to visit

Jackman is closing in on retirement and says once he's out of the workforce, seeing Repulse Bay is high on his to-do list.

"I actually checked on it last year and the price of the ticket astounded me.

"I can fly to London, England and back for less than Thompson to Repulse Bay.

"But I will get there. After learning so much from the kids, I can't imagine never seeing the community myself."