Someone to listen
Top students take on roll as mentors in Repulse Bay
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 23, 2013
REPULSE BAY
Six students have been selected as youth mentors for a new program at Tusarvik School in Repulse Bay.
Student mentors Kelvin Ivalutanar, left, and Jay Mapsalak share a laugh while fishing as George Thompson looks on during a twoday retreat on the land near Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of George Thompson |
The students - Kelvin Ivalutanar, Veronica Uttak, Nellie Kopak, Anita Kopak, Jay Mapsalak and Shelly Iguptuk - are seen as role models at Tusarvik for their good attendance, academic marks and behaviour.
They will act as mentors and counsellors to other students who may want to talk to a peer about an issue they're dealing with.
The program is co-ordinated by school-community counsellor Solomon Malliki and George Thompson, Tusarvik's guidance counsellor and school-support teacher.
The program began this past month, with students required to write an essay on why they felt they'd make a good mentor to other students.
They were also asked why they were willing to give their time to the program.
Thompson said he and principal Aubrey Bolt had actually discussed starting such a program three years ago.
He said when a Grade 6 student took his own life just as school was beginning this year, he decided to start the program right away.
"It was time, past time actually, when that happened, because, obviously, our community needs help," said Thompson.
"I started planning it out, then my partner and I selected eight students as potential mentors and went through the interview process to make our selections."
After the mentors were picked, they were taken on a two-day orientation and retreat on the land at David and Mary Tuktudjuk's cabin earlier this month.
They were accompanied by Thompson, Malliki, David, Mary, Miroslaw Rebis and Mike Ivalutanar.
Thompson said while the focus of the trip was on bonding, the group also discussed their purpose and why they were chosen.
He said the rest of the trip was having a good time fishing, setting a net, hunting caribou and riding ATVs.
"The mentors will receive training so they're prepared to help fellow students one day a week after school.
"The training will cover confidentiality, asking for help, relaxation exercises, listening skills, suicide awareness, bullying, alcohol and drug prevention, smoking and chewing snuff prevention, and dating violence."
Thompson said an application for funding has been sent to Brighter Futures to pay four role model students to lead younger at-risk students who need extra help.
He said if funding is approved, they will lead younger students in activities to help them to better adjust.
"The student mentors will receive an hourly wage and work 7.5 hours per week after school.
"The student mentor's reaction to the program has been positive, because they realize it's good for them to help out in this regard, be available, and be known as someone other students can come and talk to.
"Some students, who are dealing with a problem, might feel uncomfortable talking to an adult, but be more at ease with someone around their age.
"Now they have that option at Tusarvik."
