Daniel T'seleie
Northern News Services

Kugaaruk (June 06/05) - A strong Nunavut economy demands a skilled workforce and that starts with education.

Jordin Tootoo, along with representatives from Nunasi and Norterra, brought a message of opportunity through education to students in the Kitikmeot last week.

Kugaaruk resident Madelen Ihakkaq had her picture taken with hockey star Jordin Tootoo on Wednesday. Tootoo hoped to visit five communities in the Kitikmeot last week - Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugaaruk, Taloyoak and Kugluktuk - to talk about how important it is to stay in school and get an education.

With planned visits to five communities in as many days, the Inuk hockey star spoke to cheering crowds, often comprised of entire communities.

"If you don't have a Grade 12 education nowadays, it's pretty hard to get a job," Tootoo said from the Cambridge Bay airport Thursday morning, after poor weather forced his plane to fly over Kugluktuk.

While every Nunavut community has its own unique challenges, Tootoo said the group brought a positive message to help kids realize their opportunities.

Kugaaruk's Maria Kayasaik, 14, said she might want to be an RCMP officer in the future.

"Finish school first, and then get a job," she said of her plans.

Norterra's Christy Brewster, originally from Taloyoak, said it is important for Inuit youth to see other successful Inuk managers.

"We really highlighted the jobs with Norterra and Canadian North," she said. "Our focus was mainly on career and human resource development."

Tootoo is a paid spokesperson for Nunasi Corp., which is owned by the Inuit of Nunavut.

Involved in numerous joint ventures, Nunasi also holds a 50 per cent interest in Norterra, which owns airline Canadian North, along with other companies.

A community tour is not going to solve all Nunavut's problems, such as the fact it has the country's lowest high school graduation rate.

"We can only do so much," said Tootoo. "It's the actions of the parents. If (the kids) are in a healthy environment, they're going to want to be successful."

People of all ages attended the sessions.

"It was like 5,000 famished sharks around one poor, little, bleeding lamb," said Ian Critchley, principal of Qiqirtak high school in Gjoa Haven, where Tootoo was swarmed by autograph seekers on Tuesday.

He handled it well, and was, "very nice, very pleasant, very patient," Critchley said.

Though he does not think the negative opinions some students may have towards school were changed greatly, Critchley said Tootoo was an "excellent motivator."

"It was good to meet him," said Madelen Ihakkaq, a Grade 9 student in Kugaaruk. "He's an Inuk."

Ihakkaq had her picture taken with Tootoo on Wednesday during his visit.

Tootoo planned on visiting the Kugaaruk school for one hour, but stayed three times as long, signing autographs for nearly everyone who showed up, Ihakkaq said.

Tootoo's tour began in Cambridge Bay on Monday before continuing on to the other Kitikmeot communities.

Tootoo said the trip was a great one for him on a personal level as this was his first visit to the region.

- with files from Brent Reaney