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Engaging in cyber studies

Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 26, 2007

IQALUIT - A team of tech-savvy young people from across Nunavut were in Iqaluit last week to boost their computer and facilitator skills in a Community Access Program (CAP) training session.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Randy Kopak of Repulse Bay, left, Saila Qayaq of Clyde River and Nathaniel Chouinard of Arctic Bay focus on their computer training in Iqaluit last week. - Karen Mackenzie/NNSL photo

The team of six, who hail from five different hamlets, spent two weeks at the Arctic College's Old Residence, laptops on hand.

"These guys get trained up in information technology, which they can in turn share with their communities," said Darlene Thompson, CAP administrator.

The federally-funded training project is now in its third and final year. When it started, the Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation (NBDC) had only just gotten the territory-wide QINIQ network up and running, she said.

"So there was a really steep learning curve for people to be able to get on there and connected," Thompson said.

Since then, use of the Internet has spread into schools, offices and homes.

"It's making things easier. Studying online, or keeping in touch with families from out of town," said Sherry Kadlun, in Iqaluit for the first time from her home community of Kugluktuk.

Kadlun said she was interested in furthering her skills to help with her job at the local CAP site.

"A lot of young kids ask for help. They ask me to help them make things online, their own Bebo sites or hotmail addresses," she said, referring to a popular networking site and e-mail provider.

"More kids are using the Internet now, usually a lot of little kids from seven to the teenage years."

As with Kadlun, Clyde River's Saila Qayaq was required to take the course for his role as local CAP site supervisor.

One of the most important things he's learning is how to facilitate the activities at the site.

"Everything is crucial, even the small stuff is crucial," he said. "Showing up on time is important, because if you can get there on time, you can do your stuff on time too."

Other participants included Randy Kopak of Repulse Bay - who doubles as his hamlet's QINIQ community service provider - Nathaniel Chouinard of Arctic Bay, Caroline Meeko of Sanikiluaq and Chelsea Adjun of Kugluktuk.

"It feels good to see some friends in Iqaluit, also to make some new friends," Qayaq said.