Nunavut youth head south to create recreational programming
Group to bring ideas back to put into action in their home communities
Nunavummiut youth were in Winnipeg this week to help create recreational programming for their communities, and while there they took in a Winnipeg Jets hockey game. In the first row of flag carriers, from left, are Nolan Kuluguqtuq, Desiree Taptuna and Keisha Westwood. In the top row from left are Laura Nakashuk, Mark Inurayuk, Olivia Kilabuk and Mika Angohiatok. (Photo courtesy of Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut)
About 35 Nunavut youth were in Winnipeg this week to create after-school programming ideas to take back home.
The participants, aged 15 to 22, took part in the Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut’s winter youth program training summit.
“I think it’s been going great,” said the association’s executive director Dawn Currie.
Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut aims to improve health and wellness in the territory through physical activity and recreational programming.
The training, which started Jan. 5 and ended Tuesday, included team-building exercises, leadership development, first-aid certification, and lessons in program planning.
The goal is for these young Nunavummiut to return to their communities and run after-school recreational programming for children aged 5 to 12, Currie said.
“Most of the communities have one recreation staff [member],” she said.
“They can’t do everything.”
The Recreation and Parks Association of Nunavut also plans to provide minimum wage funding to the hamlet to pay those who run programming.
Currie said she hopes the training helps build skills that can be transferred to different careers, Currie said.
For example, one of the participants from Gjoa Haven wants to become a teacher, according to Currie, and creating youth programming is a way to train for that career.
“I was like, ‘That’s excellent. We’ll support [her] any way we can,’” Currie said.
On top of the training, the participants got to tour the Canada Life Centre, where the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets play.
They watched Jets players skate in the morning and met with members of the team’s organization. Three participants even got to go to the Jets dressing room to meet some of the players.
“A lot of kids were really excited,” Currie said, calling the meet-and-greet a “highlight” of the trip.
“It was neat to watch some of their faces.”
The group rounded out the week by watching the Jets play against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday evening. The Jets won 5-0.
Now, the group is on their way back to their home communities.
“I think they are going to return home and run some great programs,” Currie said.
For about half the price of a trip to winnipeg, there Rec workers could’ve enrolled in a Sport, Rec and Leisure diploma to do evenings after work. But for some reason an all expense paid field trip is more valuable than an education?
The training was for youth leaders to deliver after school programs for children. It included training and certification, leadership and team building and opportunities not available in Nunavut for youth. This wasn’t about the rec coordinators but youth leaders who are working evenings to deliver programs.
I first thought “hey, why are they creating a youth program down south when we need them up here!” 🤣🤣
This IS education, lol.
I think this bothers people so much because exposing young Nunavumiut to The South is likely to encourage them to leave.
I once went to Winnipeg and observed a Jets game. When I came home no one was expected me to play in the NHL. Same for these folks. I agree money would be better spent on education.
This is education, I don’t know how you can’t see that.
This is a great opportunity for these young youth center workers but definitely not an education.
Far too often, the lazy solution is used due to a lack of creativity. This is like when an employer offers training for a subject, and the training is a 3-hour webinar. Fast results providing instant gratification, similar to hitting a jackpot at the casino.
An education requires discipline over a long period of time. Sending a group of kids on a one week trip to winnipeg is not an education.
Ironic, coming from you especially, to point to a “lack of creativity” while slapping these arbitrary and restrictive parameters around your definition of ‘education’.
Education is the transmission of knowledge and skills. It may or may not take place over a long period of time, it may also take place over a short period of time. A “one week trip to Winnipeg is not an education” you say, of course that may or may be true, what matters is what you did in Winnipeg, not that you went there.
Gosh, the negativity, we Nunanmuit barely get opportunities to travel south on our OWN with tickets costing minimum like $1500 just to get out of town, not considering days away, hotels and etc, and with there being a HUGE amount of jobs available in the north to afford this, just give a break! Were youth, we need to explore and discover as well. What we bring back to our communities individually creates an impact on the whole. And it helps with our futures too, so I dont understand why this upset people. And yeah, I just dont agree with the negative comments, dad always said “if you got nothing nice to say, dont say nothing at all”….js
That trip probably cost $300,000; in addition funding will be used to create positions for the youth upon return to their communities. Did all of the students have sufficient learning skills and background knowledge to absorb several days of intense training? Were they highly motivated for that learning?
Comment 1 nailed it, biggest program run at most post secondary schools is recreation. Go to this program in Ottawa at Alg College and recruit for qualified Rec Coordinators not life guards who are related to SAO’s. A qualified Rec coordinator can do wonders for a community and can help train these young students.
But why would a qualified Rec Coordinator come here? I think you’re right but this is the crux of this whole issue across every sector in Nunavut. By gaining these qualifications most people in Canada remove the need to come to a place like this. While I understand that this is upsetting and frustrating to a lot of people who live here it remains the unfortunate reality.
Keyboard warriors are everywhere these days! It’s amazing how people can hide behind their screens and spew hate without any consequences. Let’s all remember to be kind and respectful to each other, whether online or in person. Because it’s not about being right or wrong; it’s about how you make others feel.
Thanks, Dawn, RPAN and Northern Rec leaders, for giving opportunities to our youth to grow, learn and connect.
Be grateful, not hateful….
Truth Teller, why do you feel the need to make a negative statement about people in your response? I encourage you to celebrate the opportunity given to the Recreation Leaders of our communities to network with their colleagues, build knowledge and share in team building. As someone who has a background in Recreation, I for one am excited that these future leaders were given this opportunity and believe that they will use this opportunity to build stronger communities. Building and encouraging others is far more powerful than tearing people down who are trying to build themselves up.
What we ate to survive, you can never guess. Ever.
And you’re offended by the term “Eskimo”?