Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET
A group of elementary school students are learning how to be leaders through exercise.

Sam Pudlat School Grade 6 student Mikijjuk Parr works out on the exercise bike as part of the Kinngait Huskies program. The group aims to build leadership skills. - photo courtesy of Lisa Kelly

The Kinngait Huskies are 10 students in grades 4 to 6 at Cape Dorset's Sam Pudlat School acquiring leadership skills through exercise, discipline, self-esteem and pride. The group uses the school's treadmill, bike and elliptical machines as well as activities such as agility ladders, skipping rope, sit-ups and push-ups to learn those skills.

They also choose a captain every time they meet – after school twice a week and on Saturdays. The captain tells everyone one good thing they did and, in turn, the participants tell the captain one good thing that person did. This helps with the leadership, said Lisa Kelly, one of the three coaches. The other two coaches are Kathy Pelletier and Jake Ernewein.

"A lot of the kids are really taking quite a bit of pride in the fact they are part of this group and working really hard. You see it in the classroom. What used to be a big deal is now a small deal," she said. "They are showing good leadership skills, not only in their classrooms but throughout the hallways and in the school in general."

Grade 5 student Mikikai Toonoo is one of the Kinngait Huskies.

"We have learned to respect everything and everyone," he stated via e-mail.

Fellow classmate Abraham Qatsiya is also part of the group.

"I love all the exercise. The bike, weights and treadmill are fun," he wrote in an e-mail. "Being a Husky means saying nice things to people and teammates."

Grade 5 student Johnny Samayualie stated he loves doing sit-ups. As for Egee Samayualie, he stated, "I love that we choose a captain."

The exercise equipment Sam Pudlat School received last year was intended to provide a stress outlet for teachers and staff but it ended up being under-used. Kelly said they knew the equipment could be put to better use, so the group was eventually formed.

"We just wanted to provide, not necessarily an outlet but just provide a means to develop positive leadership skills," she said. "I think a big part of that is developing that through exercise. In sport, you have captains, you have people taking on different roles on a team, which is what we are trying to foster in this group."

But Kelly said they don't want to be seen as an elite group. The 10 students are athletic, have leadership skills needing development and in the future will help in the classroom.

"It's a great program that does not require a lot. It just requires dedication from the kids and from the staff. So far, it's been showing results and we'll continue to track it," she said.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.