Yumimi Pang
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 14, 2008

QIKIQTARJUAQ/BROUGHTON ISLAND - Marissa Kuniliusie has been grinning from ear to ear since returning home from a visit to Newfoundland.

The 12-year-old Qikiqtarjuaq student got the trip of a lifetime courtesy of a special friend, Anna Maynard.

Kuniliusie developed a close friendship with Maynard when Maynard was in Qikiqtarjuaq teaching at Inuksuit school seven years ago.

Kuniliusie's mother, Sarah, remembers that the close bond that was formed among the three.

"When I was not home (Marissa) used to walk around and look for me, crying," said Sarah, who worked as a substitute teacher at the school at the time. "Anna used to take her home. We started a good friendship with her."

Two years ago, Maynard came back to Qikiqtarjuaq to visit with Sarah and Marissa for a week. Maynard promised that one day Marissa would get to go to her home, Corner Brook, Nfld.

Maynard saved frequent flyer points and donated them to Sarah and Marissa so they could each have a return ticket to Newfoundland, and Marissa could experience her first trip to the south.

"When we were flying to Ottawa, she was so excited, taking a lot of pictures," said Sarah.

Marissa said her favourite part of the trip, which went from May 24 to 30, was the flight, especially looking out the window and sampling airline food.

Once on the ground in Newfoundland, Maynard had already booked a hairdresser appointment for Marissa. Marissa had her long locks shorn off in favour of a short, stylish look featuring red highlights.

The trip's itinerary also featured many shopping trips.

"We mostly went shopping every day. That's the only thing we did," said Sarah.

In fact, Sarah said the duo went to Newfoundland with just two backpacks and came back to Qikiqtarjuaq with five suitcases full of new finds.

Marissa got a whole new wardrobe as well as earrings, two pairs of big Hollywood-style sunglasses and a High School Musical jacket she has worn every day since her return.

Sarah added that sometimes in the evenings Marissa would get homesick, but her spirits lifted when she was with her new friend, Maynard's granddaughter, 11-year-old Alexandra Maynard. They spent a lot of time together shopping, playing Nintendo Wii and watching movies like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Marissa said someday she might want to go back to Corner Brook and visit again. In the meantime her mother Sarah and Maynard keep in touch through the Internet.

Marissa and Sarah said they are grateful for the unique opportunity they had because of Maynard's generosity.

"I just love (Maynard). She's a good friend," said Marissa.