Baby steps forward
Naujaat teachers earning student trust in embracing life
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
NAUJAAT
Following an often emotional and always uplifting Embrace Life celebration this past month, staff at Tuugaalik High School continue to move forward in trying to have youth embrace the joys of life one small step at a time in Naujaat.
Grade 9 student Jeannie Katokra, right, throws her letter into the fire during the Embrace Life bonfire at Tuugaalik High School last month. - photo courtesy of Julia MacPherson |
Vice-principal Julia MacPherson, now in her fifth year in Naujaat, sees the message of youth embracing life as being of paramount importance across Nunavut.
MacPherson said with Tuugaalik being a new school, and students starting to form their own identity in a Grade 7 to 12 environment, it was decided to do things a little differently for this year's Embrace Life event.
She said she floated a few ideas to staff members during a meeting to discuss the event, they liked the idea of a bonfire, and it grew from there.
"I asked teachers to spend a couple of weeks before the bonfire talking to students about suicide prevention and embracing life," said
MacPherson.
"We were weathered out on Sept. 21, so we held it on the 23rd and that worked out great because that one day was like summer here.
"We had a morning assembly, during which I spoke to the students about having people to talk to if they find themselves feeling sad or overwhelmed by anything.
"We also talked about the school being a safe environment where they can trust the teachers, in an effort to really push the message that they're never alone."
The conversation also touched on mental illness and how it affects many Canadians, and how everyone can work together to lower suicide rates.
And there was talk on things that can upset youths, such as breaking up with a boyfriend or a girlfriend, having a fight with a parent or guardian, or finding themselves being bullied.
MacPherson said then they talked about how all those things can be fixed.
She said staff members want the students to accept the fact there's nothing in life that can't be fixed.
"We took it step by step, always reiterating the fact they're never alone and always have someone to talk to.
"Some of our teachers talked about loss, how it changed them to realize it's normal to feel various emotions that come with loss, and how important it is to know there is someone you can talk to.
"The bonfire and barbecue later in the day was a lot of fun for everyone.
"We had music playing the whole time and some students even danced."
The assembly began on a dramatic note when the students were asked to stand.
Then, any student who felt they, or any member of their family, had never been directly affected by suicide, was asked to sit back down.
Every student remained standing.
MacPherson said now being in a Grade 7 to 12 environment, the students appreciated the mature approach to Embrace Life and talking more openly about suicide prevention.
She said another idea added to Embrace Life in Naujaat also had a huge impact on many of the students.
"Teachers were asked to have their students write a letter or a poem, or draw a picture, as a way of expressing their feelings on an issue that may be bothering them, or something they might want to say to a friend, family member or loved one that they didn't have a chance to say before they passed away.
"The students took it really seriously, to the point where a number of them asked to stay after school so they could finish their letters.
"They sat quietly writing their letters and it became such a deeply personal thing for many of them.
"Nobody was allowed to read their letter and, after we started the fire, they slowly came up to burn their letters and it got so emotional, with some people crying and hugging, and then it became a celebration of life."
MacPherson said there have been a lot more students confiding in their teachers during the past four years in Naujaat.
And, she said, there's definitely a lot more students who express their emotions in a positive way these days.
"They've grown to really look forward to the Embrace Life day, so we're going to start holding a few extra Embrace Life activities throughout the year focusing on being thankful, living life to the fullest, having fun, and just enjoying life.
"One thing I stress to teachers new to the North is you have to allow the students to trust you.
"Respect has to be mutual in order to do that, and the only way that's going to happen is if you open up a little about your life, especially if you expect them to do the same.
"A growing number of our students now look at the positive side of life, and that's real progress, but it's small steps because there's a mental health crisis across Canada right now, and there needs to be more support put in place than what we have in order to keep our students safe and have them realize suicide is not the answer."
