RANKIN INLET
A special fundraiser led by NHLer Jordin Tootoo raised more than $7,000 in Rankin Inlet this past week.

Barney Tootoo displays one of Jordin Tootoo's autographed sweaters up for auction to raise funds for youth at risk in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

A silent auction of Tootoo autographed items, signed photos from retired NHLers, and items donated by local businesses raised more than $4,000, while the 50-50 draw netted $490 and straight donations topped $700.

The arena was packed for an exhibition game featuring Tootoo and most of Rankin's top players.

The game, while admitting children younger than 10 for free and only charging $2 for general admission, netted a whopping $1,150.

All proceeds from the evening were donated to the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre's children-at-risk programs.

Tootoo's dad, Barney, suited up for his son's team.

Barney said it was a lot of fun playing with Jordin again, and he found the game to be pretty competitive.

He said having his grandson, Darrian Pilakapsi, on the team made the event even more special to him.

"This was for a very good cause and it's good to see it be successful," said Barney.

"A lot of people seemed to really enjoy the evening, so I'd like to see it become a seasonal event."

Barney said it's always a good feeling to raise money for youth programming.

He said he had no doubt the arena would be packed for the charity event, even though Rankin hosted a lot of hockey this season and the arena had been closed for awhile prior to the game.

"Rankin Inlet is a hockey-mad town and I knew a lot of people would come out to see Jordin play.

"And, with the arena being closed for awhile, Rankin's so hockey crazy that a lot of people were starting to miss the game already.

"Jordin's just one of the guys when he's home, and it's special to be able to

do something with him to benefit youth in the community."

Friendship centre executive director George Dunkerley said the centre is thankful for the efforts of Jordin's team and local rec co-ordinator David Clark.

He said the centre has several programs dealing with youth at risk, ranging from addictions to family abuse.

"We hope to involve a lot of youths in those programs in traditional teaching with the elders," said Dunkerley.

"We have a program to take them out on the land and have the elders teach them the cultural ways of dealing with issues, which is an approach that seems to work even in modern society."

Dunkerley said the majority of social problems Northern communities deal with stem from youth.

He said too many aren't being taught proper values early in life, and that leads to them falling through the cracks in modern society.

"They drop out of school and they're not employable, so they run into addictions and all the issues so many of our youths are facing.

"Working with these youths has the potential to make things better as they age and improve their lives.

"I shouldn't have been surprised by the size of the crowd for this, because Jordin's a big draw anytime he comes to town.

"But for him to come home and do an event directed specifically at youth in the community is really special."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.