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Nine students worked for the hamlet this summer doing odd jobs around the community. Involved were Tristanne Qammaniq, left, RoseAnne Pikuyak, Ashley Tausaruapik, Anna Kadlutsiak, Nikki Inuksuk, Thelma Kaernerk, supervisor George Duncan, Darlene Curley, supervisor Robert Duncan, Tommy Kautaq and Waylon Arnaqjuaq. - photo courtesy of Tracy Laine |
Youth learn strong work ethic Hamlet gave nine people opportunity to earn money and gain new skills over the summer
Miranda Scotland
Northern News Services
Published Monday, August 12, 2013
SANIRAJAK/HALL BEACH
In her younger years, Tracy Laine always felt proud of herself for bringing in her own spending money. So she decided to give students in Hall Beach the same opportunity.
This summer the community's acting senior administrative officer and director of finance hired nine youth to work for the hamlet from July 2 to Aug. 9.
"I just truly believe in work ethic and showing kids at a young age how important proper work ethics are," said Laine.
The teenagers carried out odd jobs around the community, including town cleanups, maintenance work at the graveyard, painting the arena and sprucing up the old elders' centre.
This was the second year Laine has run the summer work program.
Last year she had the teenagers working part-time but they recommended she increase the hours for the
next batch of students.
"We gave them full time this year and we kept them busy," said Laine.
Waylon Arnaqjuaq, 16, was among the students who suggested the change.
It "sucked" having half days, he said, because he wasn't able to make as much money.
Arnaqjuaq returned to the program this summer.
The worst part about the job, he said, was cleaning up the dump while the best part was working at the arena.
"I play hockey so I like to see the arena," he said, adding he plans to use his summer earnings to buy goalie equipment.
Nineteen-year-old Tommy Kautaq also returned to work with the hamlet for a second year.
For him the highlight was sprucing up the arena and the old elders centre. The low point was cleaning the water tanks. Kautaq said he plans to buy a TV with his pay.
All the youth worked really hard, said Laine, adding she did have to lay down the law at the start.
"I tried to be very strict with them," she said, adding if they were late they were told to go home.
"When they showed up an hour behind everybody else and the truck was already gone with the rest of the crew, I made it clear they couldn't do that kind of stuff because now they don't know where their group is working for the day and they've got no ride to get over."
The youth caught on quick, though. After two youth got sent home for arriving late, it didn't happen again, she said.
Laine said she's impressed with the dedication the students showed over the course of the summer.
When they didn't have anything to do they wouldn't just twiddle their thumbs, they came and asked for more work.
"They wanted to keep going," she said. "None of them complained, they were all hard workers ... even when the mosquitoes were out in full force."
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