Give us some of that old-time discipline

I read with great interest the article, “Visiting clergyman witness to Kangirsuk’s violent crisis.”

I’ve often thought that Inuit kids lack the discipline their forefathers once had and wasn’t quite sure how to convey my views. Rev. Brian Burrows touched on one subject that we Inuit do not acknowledge: that Inuit communities in general can no longer discipline their kids.

Inuit children were taught valuable lessons that they needed to survive in the harsh environment that they lived in: how to hunt, sew, build igloos, provide for the community, etc. If the kids weren’t disciplined properly, they really didn’t have a chance to make it in the real world as everyone had to contribute in order for a community, albeit a single clan or a bigger tribe, to succeed.

Nowadays, kids do not need the skills required back then to make it. There’s government help in many situations like schooling, housing and even feeding yourself. It doesn’t matter if they do not know how to build shelter or clothing, as these things are provided for. They really don’t need education either as income support, welfare and other social benefits are now available. Mind you, lacking education doesn’t amount to much for quality of life, but it is sufficient to survive.

The system has failed in that Inuit ways of disciplining have somewhat been forgotten. The western way also hasn’t fared so well in us creating healthier communities and lifestyles either. We have to come up with something that will actually work in this day and age. Perhaps the two cultures have to try and start meeting halfway before something that will benefit everybody is found.

I commend Rev. Burrows for stating something that we do not always hear or don’t want to hear. He spoke the truth.

Peter Ivalu
Iqaluit