Kivalliq youth celebrate life
Annual camp attracts 40 from across Kivalliq
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, August 17, 2016
CORAL HARBOUR/KIVALLIQ
A total of 40 youth, aged 16 and older, from six Kivalliq communities took part in a Youth Celebration Camp on the land near Coral Harbour this past month.
Krissy Harron, Hope Saviakjuk, Chantal Emiktowt, Lyla-Marie Hapanak and Joy Emiktowt, from left, have a blast while walking to the Youth Celebration Camp in Coral Harbour earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Noel Kaludjak |
Every Kivalliq community was represented at the five-day event, with the exception of Naujaat.
The annual camp is organized and overseen by Noah and Sarah Matoo of Coral Harbour, who also raise the majority of funding for the undertaking.
Counsellor Noel Kaludjak took part in the camp, which he said went very well.
Kaludjak said Noah and Sarah have been holding the annual Youth Celebration Camp since 2005.
He said the activities begin with the youth slowly getting to know each other while walking to the camp.
"Noah did most of the work getting the campsite ready with some staff members," said Kaludjak.
"The main idea of the camp is, really, for them to learn to socialize and work with other youths and to deal with things effectively.
"As soon as the camp was settled, Noah started his work using games as icebreakers and a number of different challenges using small groups of five youths.
"That's a nice addition to the icebreakers, because it helps the youths learn how to figure things out and work together as a group with people they don't really know."
Joining Noel on the counselling team were Michelle Kaludjak, Lali and Margaret Pudlat and Elena Kataluk.
Kaludjak said some of the games are not easy to figure out, and the youth really have to listen to what Noah is saying to get the point.
He said some of the games are also quite competitive so they challenge the youths as a group.
"This camp has been around for 11 years now and it has an excellent reputation among the youth of the Kivalliq.
"The kids look forward to the camp every year because they know they're going to make new friends, meet new challenges, learn new things and have an awful lot of fun.
"When we sit down in counselling sessions with each group of five, we focus on teaching them how to deal with things like emotions and stress.
"We also talk to them about how to handle issues in their daily lives, and they learn to express their emotions and not be afraid to talk about whatever may be bothering them."
Kaludjak said it's important for youths to be able to talk to someone they trust, especially when they're dealing with difficult issues.
He said talking with someone who can help them deal with whatever stressful situation has come into their lives can make all the difference in the world with youths in their teenage years.
"Every young person has their own unique attitude.
"Some are loners, some are outgoing, and still others are very, very outgoing.
"The camp helps change their attitudes and their thinking, in that they realize it's OK to socialize and it's OK if you're not the one who happens to be the leader of the group.
"Others learn you can be the leader, but you can't be totally controlling and run everything while in that role because you have to work as a group."
Kaludjak said this year's camp was quite even in the number of females and males who participated.
He said each of the youths are given certain chores at the camp, and everyone is expected to be on time and live up to their responsibilities and those of the group.
"One rule is that you have to be there right at 9 a.m., and, whoever is last each morning, gets to take the sewer out.
"Everyone also chips in to take the garbage away from around the cabins and gather what we see on the land.
"It's all about working together, so chores are definitely a part of each day.
"Each group had to be responsible for a certain chore and that was really great to see."
Kaludjak said Noah and Sarah never use the words suicide prevention because suicide is a scary word to some young people.
He said they'd rather call it a celebration of life, which is a term he agrees with wholeheartedly.
"About 90 per cent of the youths at the camp have thought about suicide.
"We talked about why they thought that way, and showed them there are other routes to take instead of taking your own life.
"We taught them there's always hope out there; there's always help available, and there's always someone who cares.
"There's always light at the end of the tunnel, and life doesn't end just because you're going through a hard times or you've lost someone or something.
"That's what the Youth Celebration Camp is all about, to give them hope!"
