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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
Promoting healthy relationships among youth was the focus of a Canadian Red Cross program delivered in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Facilitator Rebecca Ulrich, right, shares a light moment with principal Jesse Payne and teacher Simone Clark as Guita Anawak, back, looks on during training on healthy relationships for youth at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniark in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The three-day program was facilitated by Rebecca Ulrich of Winnipeg, at Maani Ulujuk Ilinniarvik (MUI).

Ulrich, the provincial manager for the violence-and-abuse-prevention program, said the training provides teachers, social workers and counsellors with the opportunity, resources and tools to better understand the dynamics of teenage dating relationships.

She said the program provides information that can be shared with teenagers, children and adults on creating healthy relationships.

"The goal is for youth to be able to participate in healthy relationships in their communities and throughout their lives," said Ulrich.

"We discuss the characteristics of healthy relationships and understanding the importance of respect, trust and communication.

"We talk about what unhealthy relationships look, feel and sound like, and understanding the signs of emotional abuse, and physical and sexual assault.

"We also cover understanding consent, our legal requirements for consent in Canada, and how to support a young person if they're experiencing violence in an intimate relationship."

Ulrich said an important aspect of the training is recognizing teachers often have strong relationships with their students.

She said while that provides a wonderful opportunity to share information, teachers can't do it all by themselves.

"In addressing any form of violence and abuse, it's a relationship issue that requires everyone in a community to work together.

"That's why there are community social workers and counsellors in the program.

"It allows them to work together to offer support and services not just in the school, but in other areas of the community as well."

Ulrich has worked in the violence-and-abuse-prevention program with the Canadian Red Cross for the past four years.

She said that's allowed her to work on a common language of understanding with both adults and young people.

"Sometimes youth experience something they think is normal, but then they understand they can have safety and respect in a relationship.

"A really important foundation of our program is the focus on prevention and primary prevention.

"We want to provide information to everyone so they can see warning signs or indicators in a relationship and know how to get help.

"Ideally, they won't end up in an unhealthy relationship because they're working to have a healthy relationship and understand what that looks like."

Principal Jesse Payne said MUI tries to promote healthy relationships among students and staff, as well as a safe and caring community.

He said part of that is giving students and staff the tools necessary to cope with various issues and conflicts.

"Sessions like this are part of building a positive school environment, as well as positive relationships amongst the people in our community," said Payne.

"It also helps students in their own relationships.

"We have Grade 7 to Grade 12, so we have students in their adolescent years starting to build relationships, and that's a big deal for them."

Payne said staff members often have to deal with things they see happen, and the training gives them better strategies to employ.

He said it's all about knowing what you're doing.

"A lot of our people have been in a classroom for a long time and it's good to see what's happening out there.

"The Red Cross has good programming, and this comes in on the heels of RespectEd, which tries to counteract harassment and bullying in the school.

"This is a similar program that looks at adolescent relationships and having healthy relationships.

"It helps give them the ability to be able to do just that -- develop good healthy relationships along the way."

Payne said the training allows teachers to better cope with issues that are already in the classroom.

He said they really have no choice, but to deal with what comes their way.

"We don't just educate academically, we also have a very important community responsibility to be role models and set a good example for students.

"The better equipped we are to do that, the better equipped we are in the classroom.

"It makes it easier when we receive the same training, and speak the same language, as the people we work with outside the school.

"We've been too reactive in the past, but, with programs to help us develop strategies to better deal with issues when they arrive, we can not only be proactive ourselves, but teach others to be, as well."

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