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Pilot project means more training, opens youth centre

Karen Mackenzie
Northern News Services
Published Monday, January 28, 2008

PANGNIRTUNG - Youth in Pangnirtung will soon benefit from a major increase in training and activities.

The hamlet is now the site of an ambitious two-year pilot project which will operate out of its soon-to-be rejuvenated youth centre.

NNSL Photo/Graphic

Aissiut-making students Noah Mosesee, left, Matthew Nakashuk and Jamie Nakashuk join youth co-ordinator Chris Heide and instructor Leopa Akpalialuk in the Pangnirtung community centre last week. This course is one of the many which will be offered in the community as part of the Pangnirtung Pilot Project, a new initiative providing programming and training to local youth. - photo courtesy of Andrew Dialla

Funded by at least 13 backers from all three levels of government, it will inject a lot of positive energy into the community, according to Thomas Anguti Johnston, youth co-ordinator for the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA).

"Overall the community will be positively affected by the reopening of the youth centre. Youth will have a place to go rather than just roaming the streets and getting into trouble," Johnston said. "It will also provide opportunities for the youth to get involved in other things, provide valuable experience when they grow up and move on to the workforce."

The QIA recently announced it would provide $86,000, through Canadian Heritage, to hire a youth co-ordinator and youth centre manager for the community as part of the pilot.

"The goal of this is to make funding more accessible by communities," Johnston said. "All the proposals will be able to be accessed through one place, rather than having to send out a whole bunch of proposals to different departments."

Chris Heide, a former resident of the community, has returned to take on the role of co-ordinator and is busy getting a number of new classes funded.

"That's a real luxury for any community. Most communities don't have a staff person committed to this," he said.

One of the most notable classes is a small engine repair course which starts this week, and has already attracted 20 interested participants, according to Heide.

Last week, a few young men from the community were also instructed by Leopa Akpalialuk on how to make aissiut, or seal retrieval boats.

The hamlet also recently hired local resident Julai Alikatuktuk as manager of its youth centre, which is itself about to undergo a big rejuvenation.

Alikatuktuk is already well known among the youth of Pangnirtung, having driven the school bus for the past few years.

Jacqueline Qaqasiq, acting chair of the hamlet youth council, said the youth have already been asking when the youth centre will be open again.

Currently the space is used by a pre- and post-natal program, but Heide said he hopes it will also be used as a drop-in centre again at some point in the future.

Although sparsely furnished, the centre "is actually fairly nice inside," Heide said.

"With this funding we'll be able to get, for instance, some computers which the local young people have been crying out for, and we'll be able to get some other sports equipment. Around the equipment we'll be able to do quite a few new activities as well."

Kim Chapelle, one of the founders of the Pangnirtung Youth Leadership Initiative (PYLI) at Attagoyuk school, said her group's activities are always well attended, whether it be hip hop or after-school sports.

"The youth, they've been waiting for something more to do," she said. "There are numerous ways in which a youth centre, open, will benefit the kids. It gives them something to do and it gives them something to look forward to."

Johnston, who grew up in Iglulik, said he would like to see this type of project replicated in communities throughout the territory if the pilot proves successful.

"It's kind of difficult up here in the Arctic for youth to grow up, for lack of a better word, untainted, but I could see this project growing into places in the whole North not just Nunavut," he said.