Fitness centre relieves stress, creates bond in Nunavik community

Larry Tamusai practices his high kick at the local fitness centre this winter. (PHOTO BY TRISTAN BRAND)

Larry Tamusai works on some of the strength-training equipment at Salluit’s fitness centre, which has been open since 2012. (PHOTO BY TRISTAN BRAND)

Louisa Argun is a busy full-time student in her third semester at Montreal’s Cegep Marie-Victorin.

The Inuk teen hopes to study nursing one day.

But when she’s not in class or studying, part of the 19-year-old’s daily routine involves an hour and a half workout — a mix of cardio and upper and lower body strengthening. It plays an important role in her well-being, Argun said.

While the fitness centre is a creation of the southern world, it’s actually Argun’s hometown of Salluit that planted the fitness bug.

The community along Nunavik’s Hudson Strait has one of the region’s largest and best-equipped fitness centres and it has been open since 2012.

“It’s helped a lot of people, not just to get fit, but with self-esteem and becoming more confident,” Argun said.

“That work-out helps me with my stress — when I’m having a difficult time with anything, I just go there to clear my head.”

Argun credits the introduction to the gym to one of her high school teachers in Salluit — Maggie MacDonnell.

MacDonnell moved to Salluit in 2012 to teach. But it was the same year the municipal office was looking to hire a fitness coordinator, with $100,000 in Ungaluk funds earmarked to help open a fitness centre.

“I was so excited to see something like this,” said MacDonnell. “I’m sure there are recreation coordinators across Nunavik, but fitness coordinators are pretty rare.”

When no one signed up for the job, MacDonnell, who has a master’s degree in physical health, took on the project.

The hamlet office secured the second floor of the community’s arena, a big open space that needed minimal renovation.

MacDonnell and a group of volunteers gave the space a few coats of bright-coloured paint and used Ungaluk funds to buy treadmills, bikes, mats, dumbbells and other strength-training equipment.

The group also purchased large mirrors for the centre and an audio system so users could watch exercise DVDs or listen to music while they work out.

“I was worried that if we just dumped the equipment there it wouldn’t be used,” she said. “I wanted to make it clean and welcoming, especially to get young women in there. “

Within a few months, the centre, otherwise known as iqaliarsarvik, seemed to have caught on, drawing young and old, Inuit and non-Inuit to its space each afternoon.

Even a local elder, Annie Alaku runs on the treadmill at the centre, MacDonnell said, often accompanied by her grandchildren.

“It’s one of the only places in the community where Inuit and Qallunaat share the same space,” she said. “And Qallunaat have told me it’s a bridge for them to the Inuit community they didn’t have before.”

MacDonnell credits that in part to the help of Larry Tamusai, 17, one of the centre’s biggest advocates, who helps to draw in local Inuit and show them how to use equipment.

Since the age of 12, Tamusai has made physical fitness a regular part of his day.

“My cousin used to work out and he motivated me to start too,” Tamusai said. “Even when he stopped, I kept going.”

Now, at 17, Tamusai regularly runs to and from Salluit’s airport. As a youth worker, he even represents the Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services as a youth role model, travelling to other communities to talk about healthy living.

“I think we need more people like me,” Tamusai jokes.

“But a lot of teens are smoking and drinking,” he said. “Fitness has kept me strong. And the centre has helped a lot of people get stronger, physically and mentally.”

Katsuak Ninguirluut, 18, provides that proof.

Ninguirluut used to be a heavy smoker, but eventually got “sick and tired of it” and wanted help changing his habits.

The fitness centre offered the help Ninguirluut needed.

“It’s really good that the centre is open for Inuit,” he said. “It makes me feel better.”

And the good health the centre promotes seems to have impacted those in Salluit who don’t even use the centre, MacDonnell said, adding that it’s generally considered a valuable community service.

“I think it’s a real credit to the place that — in a context where there’s a lot of vandalism — we’ve only had one teenager steal $20 from the centre,” MacDonnell said.

“It’s really cool to see that the people who use it really appreciate it and respect the space.”

Katsuak Saviadjuk, Larry Tamusai and Salluit’s fitness coordinator Maggie MacDonnell are all regular fixtures at the gym. (PHOTO BY TRISTAN BRAND)