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INUVIK
As Inuvik says goodbye to two schools and hello to a new one, Samuel Hearne Secondary School (SHSS) principal Roman Mahnic has decided to bid farewell to the community of Inuvik to take a job in his home province of British Columbia.

Samuel Hearne Secondary School principal Roman Mahnic is leaving Inuvik after five years. - Laura Busch/NNSL photo

Mahnic has served as principal of SHSS for five years, a post he took after working as a principal in Tuktoyaktuk for one year.

Amid a flurry of packing to move contents of the high school into the new building during the last day at the school for staff, on Friday, Mahnic answered a few questions for Inuvik Drum on his time in the community.

Some responses have been edited for length.

Inuvik Drum: What brought you to the North to begin with?

Roman Mahnic: Adventure. I have a brother who taught here. About 20 years ago now he was an art teacher in the high school and he always told me stories about the North and this particular area and he sort of tweaked my interest.

ID: You also worked in school administration in the south before moving to the NWT. What did you find different about the job here?

RM: Well, for me there wasn't much difference because I was a director of education and a principal in First Nations communities. So, working with aboriginal students in an aboriginal community was nothing new to me. I think what strikes me the most about Inuvik is how all the cultures just co-operate and get along so well together.

ID: Why are you leaving SHSS?

RM: Well, I moved here from B.C., so I'm going back as a school administrator in B.C. It's a very difficult decision. I sort of had to think long and hard about it, with the new school that has been being built for the last four years. I mean, I've been right beside it for four years watching it get built and seeing all the excitement of the planning to move into the new school. But, that other opportunity just came up and it just felt like the right time to move. But I am still staying in aboriginal education, so I'm still working with First Nations in B.C. I just really enjoy working with aboriginal students.

ID: Why?

RM: Their sense of humour. That's probably the thing that strikes me most about aboriginal students. I love that they're just genuine – just so authentic and genuine and just the kind heart. Once they open up and they trust you, they just really, it feels like family. The kids here, it feels like they're my own. The students and the community, it all just grabs you. It grabs you and it's really hard to leave.

ID: Is there any significance with the timing you chose to leave, since SHSS is being torn down?

RM: No, no. Up until a month ago the plan was that I was going to the new school. The opportunity just came up recently. Moving the new school forward was obviously an opportunity I was looking forward to. I could have stayed and it would have been great, but I know going is going to be great, too.

ID: Do you have any words of advice to whoever takes over your role in the new school?

RM: Hmm. I'm kind of torn because if they were coming to this school I would say that there is a long history of tradition and pride in SHSS. But, because there's a new school name coming online and because the elementary school is joining the high school it is a brand new beginning. I think with the school, closing celebrations that we celebrated a few weeks ago, that was the end of that particular era. So, what would I say now to someone as they move into the new school? The one thing I would say is to take advantage of this opportunity to start a new tradition. Look at it as anything being possible.

ID: Do your students know that you're leaving?

RM: Oh, yes. During our final awards assembly June 19 the emcees at the very beginning of the celebration introduced me as 'Mr. Mahnic is leaving after five years' and I didn't know that it was coming. So, I wasn't prepared to address the assembly and I looked out at all the parents and the students and it was, well, it was very difficult. There was shock because nobody knew then. So, yes, everybody knows now.

ID: Do you have any last words for Inuvik?

RM: Just to thank the community for their support of me, and just to let them know that it's been an outstanding five years. Like, I've really just had some of the best times of my life.

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