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TALOYOAK/SPENCE BAY
Filled with food and baking supplies, the Thanksgiving hampers elders in Taloyoak received from Netsilik School are an excellent way to give thanks.

Cathryn Trull holds a turkey for one of the approximately 40 Thanksgiving hampers Netsilik School in Taloyoak prepared for the community's elders. - photo courtesy of Gina Pizzo

Student support teacher Cathryn Trull started the hamper program when she arrived in the community from Collingwood, Ont., six years ago. With the help of student council, she prepared some 40 hampers for this Thanksgiving and delivered them to elders in the community on Oct. 2.

"The hamper, this time, has 21 food items in it, including flour, sugar, salt, some canned goods, some granola bars, some oatmeal to make hot cereal," said Trull. "Plus, this year, we give out a turkey in each hamper and we have two packages of fresh caribou that were caught by the senior high students this year."

She said they also prepare hampers for Christmas and Easter.

Giving thanks to the elders is important as they teach various skills at the school, speak the language and tell stories, explained Trull. She said she receives "tremendous support" from student council.

"It is important we support them because they support us in the school tremendously," she said. "It is important to teach the children, also, the respect and the care we need to have for our elders."

Trull arrived in Taloyoak six years ago after friends who worked in Chesterfield Inlet told her about the great time they had up here.

"I love it here, otherwise I wouldn't be staying this long," said Trull. "I love the people I work with. The kids are great. I've been very welcomed into the community. I'm hoping to make some real positive changes here through my work with the kids."

And she added she thinks she'll do another six years in Taloyoak.

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