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SANIKILUAQ - Youth in Sanikiluaq were encouraged to choose life, not suicide, on a series of land trips last month.

About 45 kids aged 10 to 19 took part in a late-summer camping trip, the first of its kind funded by the hamlet's recreation department, according to Elijah Sala, chair of the recreation committee.

Alec Inuktaluk pulls a fish out of a net during the land camp organized for the first time this year by Sanikiluaq's recreation department. - photo courtesy of Sarah Novalinga

"We decided to take the youth out so the elders could teach them to live on the land and how life is important instead of suicide," he said.

The youth travelled by boat and ATV to Nulujait, a traditional camp site near Sanikiluaq, for two- and three-day stints.

While accompanying the group, Johnny Tookalook, Maina Inuktaluk and Sarah Kudloruk shared many of their skills, according to Novalinga.

"They taught about the land, the past, about parenting," said Sarah Novalinga, hamlet recreation co-ordinator.

"They also talked about the future, like not to quit school, because it will be harder in the future if we do," added Louisa Sala, a Grade 10/11 student who went on the trip.

There had also been some recent concern in the community over youth sniffing gasoline and other chemicals, a problem which the hamlet had faced in the past, according to Elijah.

"In the 80s and 90s kids used to get into that with glue, gas and camping fuel. We didn't want the kids to come back to that in this new generation," he said. "But they were able to talk to the elders about these things, and ask questions of the elders about different things."

As well as learning about traditional survival techniques, every second day the young campers were sent to check on fish nets, which they used to catch char.

"One week later a parent came up to me and said they were very thankful for the trip, because they had a teen who was able to learn about these things even though he has no hunting supplies," Elijah said.

The one downside to the trip was the weather, which was cold and rainy throughout, according to Novalinga.

"Maybe we'll go in the earlier summer days next year, I hope," she said.