Leo Ussak Elementary School students take part in the annual Terry Fox Run in Rankin Inlet - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
Youth make a difference
Terry Fox, Embrace Life walks still popular events for students
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, October 15, 2014
KIVALLIQ
Kivalliq students took to the streets to keep the memory of a Canadian hero alive during the Terry Fox Run this past month.
The run was one of two events students at Tusarvik School in Naujaat (Repulse Bay) poured their hearts into.
The youth also hit the streets to draw attention to Embrace Life Week.
Vice-principal Julia MacPherson said both events were very successful.
She said there was a big turnout for the Terry Fox Run, with a number of community members joining in, which was followed by a barbecue and healthy snacks.
"The participants ran to Old Water Lake and back, which is a good run of about five kilometres," said MacPherson. We had students from kindergarten to Grade 12 take part."
Tusarvik holds a penny and bake sale in support of the run.
This year, the school raised a whopping $1,200.
MacPherson said the event is held in the gym, with teachers asked to bake goods and bring items for the sales.
She said students are asked if they want to each bring one dollar, or if they want to bring money to buy something at one of the two sales.
"Raising $1,200 in one day is pretty good for us. "We're quite proud of everyone's efforts in this."
MacPherson said the students are always reminded of all that Terry Fox stood for.
She said she encourages the teachers to talk about Fox during the week leading up to the run.
"We have videos on his life and what he did, as well as books and literature on him, so our kids know what he looked like and who he was.
"Before the run, we gather all the students in the gym and show a more modern video about him.
"Students from the south talk about Terry (Fox), and it's end theme has them all saying they are Terry Fox.
"It was pretty cute to watch our kids scream, 'We are Terry Fox,' run a bit, stop and holler it again."
The school also holds an Embrace Life walk.
MacPherson encourages teachers to talk about suicide with the students, but it's not always easy.
"The teachers are hesitant to talk about suicide with the younger grades, so they talk about what makes them happy in their lives.
"They also talk about who to talk to if you're sad about something in your life.
"We encourage the older kids to talk about suicide, and the importance of finding someone to talk to if they find themselves really down.
"I ask all classroom teachers to make a sign or poster about embracing life leading up to the walk."
Tusarvik has people in the community join the kids in the gym, with a member of the RCMP and a health worker sitting-in this year.
MacPherson said it can be a solemn day, especially for older students who have almost all been affected by suicide or know someone who took their own life.
She said she tried to brighten things up with an upbeat music video made in Iqaluit before the walk.
"Everyone came back for hot chocolate and cookies before heading home."
Leo Ussak Elementary School co-principal Sarah Ayaruaq said the Rankin Inlet students look forward to the Terry Fox Run every year.
She said the school switches between raising money and awareness, with awareness the focus this year.
"Our kids are aware of who Terry Fox was and we show them a video about him every year," said Ayaruaq.
"The older kids know a lot about him and look at him as a Canadian hero.
"The younger kids are just getting exposed to Terry and finding out what he was all about.
"All three of our schools do the walk for Terry Fox and Embrace Life."
Baker Lake teacher Brad Mainse said the Terry Fox Run and Jump Rope for Heart are big events in Baker.
In the 12 years they've done the Fox run, the Rachel Arngnammaktiq Elementary School students have raised almost $20,000.
Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School goes back and forth between fundraising and awareness.
Mainse said students in grades two to five raised $1,625 this year.
He said the Terry Fox Foundation has done a good job promoting the cause, including Terry's vision.
"It's put out short videos you can show in the classroom, some longer videos and, of course, the movie on TV, all of which the teachers have access to," said Mainse.
"The teachers do something each year to keep why we do this in the kids' minds, so they know what it's all about.
"I have kids in my gym class try to practise how Terry ran with a hop, step, hop, step, which gives them a feel for what his stride was like.
"It's not hard to get kids to understand what it was all about, and it's a pretty big deal in Baker with both schools getting out to do it together with a shorter distance of 1.5 km, three km and 4.5 km for the younger kids, and 7.5 km for the older ones who want to complete the entire run from the arena to the airport."
