IQALUIT - Defending yourself is serious business, but you wouldn't know that from watching the new self-defense class at Inuksuk High School.

These Grade 12 girls can't stop laughing and cracking jokes as they learn how to protect themselves.

With the basics in hand, these girls have improved their odds if faced with a physical confrontation.

"I have had a lot of experience with guys attacking me, forceful guys, but I don't want to say too much, I don't want to draw attention to myself," said one of the Grade 12 girls enrolled in the program.

"I want to learn so I can protect myself," said Olivia Nester. "Nothing has happened yet, but if something did, I would want to be ready."

"I thought it would be interesting, and I'd like to be able to stick up for myself," said Meredith Black.

"I think it is important for girls to be able to defend themselves," said Lauren Solski. "I'm moving to a big city next year, and I want to know what to do."

Const. Matt Gallant of the Iqaluit RCMP is teaching the girls the basics. He had been working with the Grade 9 self-defense class, and this class for senior girls was an extension of that.

"This is very simple self-defense, and self confidence is the most important thing they will take from it," said Gallant.

Gallant's background is in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and a little Muay Thai boxing. He has some simple advice for anyone facing a physical confrontation.

"Your greatest weapon is your mind, try to talk your way out of it if you can," he said. "Unless you are a trained martial artist, you are not going to be able to kick anyone in the side of the head. I teach them to go for the groin and the face."

That prudent tone carries over into the lesson. The first thing Gallant explains is the difference between self-defense and assault.

"Protect yourself, don't retaliate," said Gallant.

Wende Tulk teaches self-defense to the Grade 9 students with the help of Gallant. She has had women on staff at the school ask to join the girls' course.

"We have 15 girls and 15 boys in the Grade 9 class," said Tulk. "I teach them to do what you have to do to stop them, then exit as quickly as possible. Don't wait around to see if they are fine, just leave."

The girls are attentive, if a little sarcastic. Within the first five minutes they have moved from basic fighting stances to learning about jabs and crosses.

"It creates self esteem, the ability to defend yourself," said Tulk.

Tulk said she doesn't expect the girls to go around throwing punches in school. She expects them to have more need of the defense skills off school grounds.

"Here, they are safe," she said. "When they leave to go to the Brown Building for lunch we can't keep them safe."