Nunavik’s youth hockey program revs up for a sixth season

Coach Joé Juneau gave the Nunavik Nordiks’ Pee Wee team a pep talk earlier this year. The Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program, spearheaded by Juneau since 2006, will enter its sixth season this year. (FILE PHOTO)

The Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program has been renewed for a sixth season, Makivik Corp. announced July 25.

“The program has once again received strong support from the Kativik Regional Government, the Kativik School Board and the Makivik Corp.,” a news release from Makivik said.

Joé Juneau, an 11-year National Hockey League veteran, launched a grassroots hockey program in Nunavik in 2006.

The program, dubbed the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program, aims to use hockey as a tool to show youth aged five to 17 about the importance of education.

The program also tries to develop leadership, introduce its participants to a healthy lifestyle and reduce the high school-dropout and crime rates in the region.

The Ungaluk “Safer Communities” program pays for the hockey program, which Makivik Corp. manages.

The KRG supports the program by delivering technical assistance.

“The message from the leaders of the KRG and Makivik is very clear: education is our first priority. And at the same time special attention needs to be directed to youth who are struggling with school so that innovative approaches may be developed for them. The partnership established with the KSB is key to the success of the program,” said the news release.

“Makivik strongly encourages the communities and the Inuit of Nunavik to take advantage of this great opportunity and join in the effort to encourage kids to stay in school and use hockey as a tool to motivate them.”