CLASSIFIEDSADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS

NNSL Photo/Graphic



Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size Email this articleE-mail this page
Students send quilts to Ottawa's needy
Cape Dorset youth show leadership and desire to help others

Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, June 15, 2015

KINNGAIT/CAPE DORSET
A school in Cape Dorset found out how to increase attendance and even get boys into sewing.

NNSL photo/graphic

Peter Pitseolak students gather to show off their work. Back row, left: Carmen Rowsell, Malituq Ottokie, Quppapik Samayualie, Aulaajaqtu teacher Kulluajuk Simeonie, Mayann Samayualie, teacher Katherine Steeves. Front row, from left: Charlie Pudlat, Arn Pootoogook and Taiann Hayward. Absent are Charlie Jaw, Sii Taqiasuk and Jeffrey Salomonie. - photo courtesy of Katherine Steeves

"It was really inspirational to watch the kids dive into the project," said Katherine Steeves, sewing teacher at Peter Pitseolak School.

"They were so excited about doing something for someone else. They were dedicated. They attended so well, they didn't skip classes, they wanted to come every day."

She led a class of 10 students, seven girls and three boys, in a sewing project twice a week since February.

Students came for the 40-minute classes and sewed straight through.

The class was held for Grade 12 students and was part of the school's Aulaajaqtu program, which encourages students to find ways to be a "global citizen" and help people who might be less fortunate than them.

Sewing students decided they wanted to send quilts to Roger's House in Ottawa, a facility which provides care to children and families in need.

"I found some of the boys the most inspiring," said Steeves. "You'd think the boys wouldn't be interested in sewing but they were so good at what they did, so meticulous."

Arn Pootoogook, one of the boys, was proud of helping others.

"It was a good feeling to be doing something for the sick kids who are stuck in the hospital and can't get out and play," Pootoogook said.

Another student, Carmen Rowsell, said sewing class was one of the highlights of her school day.

"I didn't know how to sew before we started the quilts and was so surprised at how good they turned out," she said. "I felt awesome and happy to see our teacher leaving to take the quilts down to Ottawa. It felt good to be helping people. I wish our teacher would take a picture of the kids getting the quilts. It would be awesome to see all the children with our quilts."

The students made 11 quilts.

Steeves was proud of the dedication her students showed.

"I think they were just really excited about being able to tie together being a global citizen and having the opportunity to help somebody else who was going through pain or sadness," she said.

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