Model student impresses principal
Youth demonstrates IQ principles every day inspired by authority figures
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, April 25, 2016
IQALUIT
Friendly, respectful and engaged in extracurricular activities, Grade 7 student Jennifer Erkidjuk is a model example of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit Principles, says her principal.
Jennifer Erkidjuk, a Grade 7 student at Aqsarniit Middle School, demonstrates Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles every day. She'd like to join the Coast Guard one day. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
"She lives IQ," said Donald Peters, principal of Aqsarniit Middle School.
Erkidjuk said she learned them from authority figures in her life.
"They're guiding principles of Inuit," she explained. "They're respecting others and caring for other people."
The Iqaluit youth doesn't want to let her relatives down.
"If you don't respect others, your relatives won't be happy if the teachers or principals tell your parents what you did in school," she said.
Her favourite classes in school are Inuktitut, for the chance to speak the language, and social studies, to learn about history.
She's also a goaltender in soccer and volunteers her time to work with children in taekwondo classes on the weekend.
"She works with me on Sunday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. every week," said Peters.
Erkidjuk helps children ages three through six run through obstacle courses and do body movement training.
"I like it because we learn new patterns and we can learn to defend yourself if someone's trying to attack you," she said about the activity.
Peters said she is a committed student.
"I think the reason Jennifer is an example of IQ principles at work is Jennifer comes every day, never misses a day, she volunteers on Sundays with us, she plays sports every week but I think what's most important is when she comes to school she is very respectful with the teachers, very friendly with all her peers in the classroom and she goes the extra effort every day to smile and be happy," he said.
She reflects IQ principles to co-operate and be friendly and open with people.
"She's a very caring person when it comes to her friends and she's a hard worker," said Peters.
One day, Erkidjuk thinks she might like to work for the Canadian Coast Guard, going around the Canadian seas, protecting the waters and looking for people.
