Chesterfield Inlet - A number of activities to give local youth constructive things to do with their time were held in Chesterfield Inlet this past month.

The activities were sponsored by the local justice committee to help keep youth in touch with their traditional roots, and increase their awareness of the dangers of having too much idle time.

Among the activities were an inuksuk-building contest for youths in Grade 7 to 12 at Victor Sammurtok School, as well as a colouring contest for the younger students.

Former justice committee outreach worker Nina Putulik was one of the main organizers of the event.

Putulik said the whole idea behind the project was to have fun activities that would help keep the kids busy.

She said the inuksuk contest also had traditional values, such as knowing the proper way to cut snow blocks.

"We just wanted to create a bit of awareness for the kids on the benefits of being involved with healthy activities," said Putulik.

"When kids are busy with those types of things, they're more likely to stay away from other activities that aren't so good."

Putulik said there's a big shortage of positive things for kids to do in Chester.

She said more has to be done to keep them busy and away from bad habits.

"All the kids took part in the activities we had and they really enjoyed it.

"It was a successful project for the justice committee.

"I was done as an outreach worker with the justice committee on April 1. Now I'm working as a student counsellor at the school, and I'm really enjoying my new job and working with the kids."

Victor Sammurtok teacher Glen Brocklebank said the inuksuk contest went over well with the students.

He said the kids enjoyed the activities held at the school and the hamlet during the week.

"I decided to take part in the inuksuk contest and I really enjoyed it," said Brocklebank.

"Everyone really got into it.

"A lot of them fell, including ones my partner, River Autut, and I built.

"We built the winning inuksuk three times, and it fell all three times."

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