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Knowing the role Desire, motivation can't overcome all barriers, says doctor
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, August 14, 2013
ARVIAT
Fiona Main is alright with hearing herself referred to as a role model for youth.
Medical school graduate Fiona Main of Arviat sees resiliency as a key factor in Nunavummiut being able to complete post-secondary studies. - photo courtesy of Martha Main |
Main said having grown up in Arviat, and having to leave and being far away from her family in order to become a doctor qualify her for the designation.
But she also said she didn't have to show nearly as much resilience to accomplish her goals, in other ways, as some Inuit youths might.
She said it was always expected she and her sister, Heather, would go to university because their mother is a teacher.
"We didn't have the culture shock when we went down south, and we didn't miss our food and our language," said Main. "I'm a role model to ... kids anywhere if they want to see me as someone who wasn't afraid to aim high.
"And, I suppose, the fact I came from a small town in Nunavut and accomplished my goals does send a positive message to some kids in that they can do this."
Main said when she meets teenage girls at the clinic, or spends time with her fiance's nieces as they try to decide what to do with their lives, she does want to try and inspire them.
She said if you put your mind to something, you shouldn't be afraid of trying it, but that doesn't mean everyone has the same chance to succeed.
"Desire and motivation can't overcome everything, and a lot of people in Nunavut have barrier, upon barrier, upon barrier in front of them," Main said. "That doesn't mean they can't, because there's a resilience factor they talk about in psychology that, maybe, people like Jordin Tootoo and Susan Aglukark are better examples of utilizing than me."
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