Football star sends message to youth
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, May 9, 2016
KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR
Jorgen Hus, long snapper for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, delivered a message of resiliency against bullying to youth in both Kimmirut and Iqaluit.
Students huddle around Saskatchewan Roughriders player Jorgen Hus after he gives a presentation on bullying in Kimmirut. - photo courtesy of Sarah Burke |
He toured the two communities during Toonik Tyme, speaking to schools and interacting with students.
The tour was sponsored by the Canadian Red Cross, who have been working with the Government of Nunavut and Embrace Life Council since 2012 on various education and suicide prevention initiatives.
Sarah Burke, senior manager of community-integrated programming for the organization, said the idea to bring Jorgen Hus north came after a visit with youth in Kimmirut.
"When I mentioned to the kids of Kimmirut would you like to have a CFL player come up and talk to you about bullying prevention, I was kind of expecting them to say no, because Nunavut has such a hockey culture, but they were all over it," Burke said.
Hus told a story of his history, including how he grew up poor and entered football late in life.
"He was sharing with the kids that if he hadn't chosen football he was probably going to go down a bad path," said Burke.
"Even when he was preparing to follow in the path of being a professional athlete, he realized he had to make tough choices and move some of his friendships to the backburner that might have led him astray."
His key message was twofold -- you're never too old to follow a dream, and all successful teams are built on mutual respect.
These, said Burke, correspond with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles.
"The kids seemed to really like it," said Burke.
She did note that the younger children seemed more interested in his athletic body than anything.
"They wanted to see his muscles and see how big his biceps were," laughed Burke.
"The older kids, they were really listening to what he was saying."
The Canadian Red Cross is coming to the end of its three-year programming in Nunavut, but hopes to continue working in the territory. The organization has visited 22 communities to work with students, teachers and service workers.
