Brodie Thomas
Northern News Services
Published Monday, June 23, 2008

TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - Until this month, Jennifer Greenland had never cut her hair. But the graduate of Chief Julius school in Fort McPherson decided to mark her commencement with a haircut.

When Joanne Tetlichi heard of Jennifer's plan she decided she would also cut her long hair, if her son graduated.

"I thought goodness we all have the same length. It was past our knees. So I thought we should donate it to make wigs," said Tetlichi

Kyla Ross, a support worker at the school, decided she would also hop on the band wagon since it was for a good cause.

"I always thought about donating my hair because I've always been told by every hairdresser I've ever been to that I have enough hair for three wigs," said Ross, who recently lost her grandmother to cancer.

The women did some searching on the Internet and decided they would donate their hair to a group in Alberta that makes wigs for cancer patients.

"Joanne said we should try to find someone from Alberta because everyone here who is sick goes to Alberta," said Ross.

The wig makers require at least 10 inches of hair to make a wig. The three women each donated between one and two feet of hair.

While the ladies were having their hair cut on the stage after the graduation ceremony, several people walked around the room with buckets asking for donations towards cancer research.

"I didn't count all the money yet, but there was between $300 and $400 donated at the ceremony alone, and we still have people calling up," said Ross.

Ross said it is taking time to adjust to their new styles.

"All three of us are going through hair shock. I've never, ever had short hair in my life. I'm so used to sitting and brushing out tangles for no less than 15 or 20 minutes. Now it's like ... it's gone. The first day I filled up my whole head with shampoo not realizing that I don't' need that much anymore," said Ross."

Tetlichi is also having trouble adapting to her hair's new length.

"It still feels funny. I'm not used to it yet," she said.

Ross said she takes comfort in knowing her hair will grow back quickly, and that she still has some hair and that it will grow back.

"Just thinking there's other people out there who don't have that opportunity," she said.