Greenlander finds meaning in kayaking

Once again I see mention being made about suicide prevention in Nunatsiaq News. In particular, this time it was the amazing snowmobile journey made in the name of suicide prevention by three Nunavik men.

I am pleased to see these men get special recognition in the form of awards from the Governer General, but I think it is important for young people today to realise that it isn’t only incredible journeys by special people that can help to bring a person back from the edge of suicide.

Often it is a small, simple act that makes all the difference between a life full of meaning and hope and one without.

I recently hosted a 17-year-old man from Greenland named Maligiaq Padilla. He is the current national kayaking champion of Greenland. He got there by making one small decision. He decided to try making a kayak.

Then he tried paddling it. Then he tried rolling it. Then he began entering kayak races with it. This summer he entered a world championship race, competing with other kayakers from around the world.

He amazed them. A brilliant future has opened up for Maligiaq all because he saw that traditional kayaks could open a door to the future for him.

This is how we all find our way in life. We look for a small challenge, then build on it and build on it.

Which reminds me… I think I’ll go paddle my kayak. Maybe I’ll see something interesting!

Michael Bradley
Ayer’s Cliff, Quebec