Coral celebrates sports and science
Special day held to recognize athletes and students
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, May 11, 2016
SALLIQ/CORAL HARBOUR
The community of Coral Harbour came out to celebrate the accomplishments of its athletes this past month.
Sakku School junior high teacher Helen Ell-Natakok co-ordinated the event.
She said the celebration was driven by the parents of the community's peewee hockey team, but grew to include every athlete and the students who were involved with the annual science fair at Sakku.
"We did this one other year and it was a hit, so we just decided to hold it again at the community hall to appreciate our athletes here in Coral," said Ell-Natakok.
"The celebration was for all our athletes; the senior hockey players, the soccer players, the wrestlers and the minor-hockey players, as well as the students involved in the science fair.
"We held a community hockey game first that had the parents gear-up to play against kids from kindergarten all the way up to Grade 12.
"We even had one four-year-old play, and everyone enjoyed the game very much."
Ell-Natakok said almost the entire community came out to watch the hockey game and then attend the athlete celebration.
She said everyone looked upon the day as being a very positive event.
"The hall was packed with people, and we had guest speaker elder Lizzie Putulik from the justice committee talk to everyone about embracing life and living healthy lifestyles.
"It was a little more special with our senior men winning the Avataq Cup this year, but even more so with our teams that won the Powerful Peewees and Arctic Atoms in Rankin Inlet.
"The parents really wanted this and the kids were so proud during the celebration at the hall.
"Initially, it was going to be held at Sakku School but, after talking with the rec department, we decided to hold the hockey game first and move the actual celebration to the community hall.
"Clara Ell did a wonderful job making a beautiful cake for the event that had the name of almost every athlete on little jerseys decorating the cake."
Ell-Natakok said she hopes someone else steps up to co-ordinate the event next year.
She said she'd like to see the celebration grow to be an annual event in Coral.
"This wasn't just about winning and recognizing those who won tournaments.
"It was all about participating, letting our athletes know we support them in their sports and are behind them 100 per cent whether they win or lose, and to promote a healthy lifestyle within our community.
"Mostly all we have is sports, living in a tiny community, and it's all about competing, doing your best and being part of a team, not just winning.
"We owe a big thank-you to the hamlet and the District Education Authority for all the finger food, as well as the parents, the senior students who made posters for all the sports, and our Grade 9 students who helped prepare the food with Suzie McKitrick and set up the sound system for the event."
