By Charlotte Qamaniq
January 26 2010 Truro, NS
Karin and I were very lucky to be invited to the 3rd Annual Nova Scotia Community College Maowi'omi Pow Wow. The people were very friendly and welcoming of us, both Karin and I really enjoyed our stay in Truro. The even was one day, from 10am - 2pm, and we were fortunate to be involved with this pow-wow, as it was very educational. Ww learned a lot about the traditional dances and regalia, and had an opportunity to present our own cultural traditions. The audience learned about our clothing and watched us perform our throat singing, and we received a lot of positive feedback. I also had the opportunity to explain about NARMP, and the nomination call for 2010 role models. I spoke about my experiences with the Youth Suicide PRevention Walk, and encouraged others to be role models themselves. All in all, I really enjoyed my visit to the east coast and hope to return soon!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Visit to Quaqtaq: Jennifer
By Jennifer Williams
December 3 2009 Quaqtaq, QC
Spending time in Quaqtaq was an amazing experience. We visited the school there and did presentations to the teenagers, an Elder also participated in giving a presentation and it was a very great addition. The teens were very shy during the presentations but came out of their shell as we took a break to head down to the water to see a beluga whale hunt. The town was beautiful and the people were very nice. In the end of my presentation we went around the circle to ask the youth who their favourite role model was and passed out t-shirts to each person. One of the last girls said that I was her new role model and that made me feel very happy!
In the afternoon Karin and I went around to the lower grades and did drum-dancing and throat-signing demonstrations for the youngers
children. They really enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun. We also walked around with Bruce and visited each classroom which the kids and teachers both loved. It was a great visit and I really enjoyed my time in Quaqtaq.
December 3 2009 Quaqtaq, QC
Spending time in Quaqtaq was an amazing experience. We visited the school there and did presentations to the teenagers, an Elder also participated in giving a presentation and it was a very great addition. The teens were very shy during the presentations but came out of their shell as we took a break to head down to the water to see a beluga whale hunt. The town was beautiful and the people were very nice. In the end of my presentation we went around the circle to ask the youth who their favourite role model was and passed out t-shirts to each person. One of the last girls said that I was her new role model and that made me feel very happy!
In the afternoon Karin and I went around to the lower grades and did drum-dancing and throat-signing demonstrations for the youngers
children. They really enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun. We also walked around with Bruce and visited each classroom which the kids and teachers both loved. It was a great visit and I really enjoyed my time in Quaqtaq.
Visit to Quaqtaq: Asivak
By Asivak Koostachin
December 3 2009 Quaqtaq, QC
This was my second community visit. It was an amazing experience and I saw the Arctic ocen for the first time. The presentation was easy and fun. The youth were friendly but alot of them smoked. I think something should be done and in the future I am going to try to deal with it, by telling them facts and stories of long term smokers. Overall the visit was an extraordinary experience.
December 3 2009 Quaqtaq, QC
This was my second community visit. It was an amazing experience and I saw the Arctic ocen for the first time. The presentation was easy and fun. The youth were friendly but alot of them smoked. I think something should be done and in the future I am going to try to deal with it, by telling them facts and stories of long term smokers. Overall the visit was an extraordinary experience.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
National Addictions Awareness Week
By Damian Abrahams
November 18 2009, New Aiyansh, BC
This visit was the best visit so far! Although it was tiring getting to the community it was worth it! My first presentation was when I arrived in their territory, they brought me out to their land and introduced me to their nation as they were having a Nisga'a nation picnic so most of their people were there. I was able to say a few words and sing a couple of songs. I found it amazing that I was not the only role model they had, every year they select one of their own as a role mode, they usually select an Elder from the community.
After the speeches and the amazing feast they had traditional songs and dances which they invited me to be a part of.
I was humbled to be welcomed into such an amazing community and I hope to return again in the future!
November 18 2009, New Aiyansh, BC
This visit was the best visit so far! Although it was tiring getting to the community it was worth it! My first presentation was when I arrived in their territory, they brought me out to their land and introduced me to their nation as they were having a Nisga'a nation picnic so most of their people were there. I was able to say a few words and sing a couple of songs. I found it amazing that I was not the only role model they had, every year they select one of their own as a role mode, they usually select an Elder from the community.
After the speeches and the amazing feast they had traditional songs and dances which they invited me to be a part of.
I was humbled to be welcomed into such an amazing community and I hope to return again in the future!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Louis Riel Day
By Jessica Dunkley
November 15 2009 Ottawa, ON
Carleton University was celebrating Louis Riel Day and I was invited to share my story as a Metis woman to an audience of about 15 people. There was a nice group of diverse people that came to listen to my story.
I shared my story growing up and talked about my journey through medical school through adversity and overcoming barriers to demonstrate the resiliency and strength we all develop from experiencing prejudice and stereotypes.
Pemmican, cranberry dessert and juice was served to share our traditional foods.
November 15 2009 Ottawa, ON
Carleton University was celebrating Louis Riel Day and I was invited to share my story as a Metis woman to an audience of about 15 people. There was a nice group of diverse people that came to listen to my story.
I shared my story growing up and talked about my journey through medical school through adversity and overcoming barriers to demonstrate the resiliency and strength we all develop from experiencing prejudice and stereotypes.
Pemmican, cranberry dessert and juice was served to share our traditional foods.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Lead Your Way! Be Healthy! Be Positive! Visit to Kuujjuaq
by Charlotte Qamaniq
November 12-14 2009. Kuujjuaq, QC
We arrived in Kuujjuaq on the evening of November 11 as our flight was delayed a few hours en route from Iqaluit. We stayed with Louisa and her beautiful family for the first night, and the rest of our nights at the hotel.
We spent our days at the Jaanimarik High School. This was my very first role model presentation and I was pretty nervous. We had elders come in to speak, they spoke in Inuktitut and told the students some of their life stories and lessons and they got a lot of positive feedback from the students. When it was my turn to speak I talked about how they were all role models to children younger than them; I told them about my role model and what a role model is to me. I mentioned how bullying affects people and how it was important to be considerate of other people’s feelings.
I then spoke about my experience with the Youth Suicide Prevention Walk across Canada. I emphasized how talking about our problems helps us feel better, and to be good listeners when someone seems to feel down. I answered any questions they had and told them I was available to talk to anyone as I was in town for a few days. The 2nd day I had a lot of fun playing soccer with some students followed by pizza and juice, this was probably the highlight of my trip.
The 3rd day we managed to pull off an amazing community feast with games and prizes, door prizes and a short presentation. I was impressed with how many showed up, we had about 300-350 people come and share their evening with us. Over all, I had a really good trip in Nunavik and hope that they enjoyed their time with us as much as I did with them.
November 12-14 2009. Kuujjuaq, QC
We arrived in Kuujjuaq on the evening of November 11 as our flight was delayed a few hours en route from Iqaluit. We stayed with Louisa and her beautiful family for the first night, and the rest of our nights at the hotel.
We spent our days at the Jaanimarik High School. This was my very first role model presentation and I was pretty nervous. We had elders come in to speak, they spoke in Inuktitut and told the students some of their life stories and lessons and they got a lot of positive feedback from the students. When it was my turn to speak I talked about how they were all role models to children younger than them; I told them about my role model and what a role model is to me. I mentioned how bullying affects people and how it was important to be considerate of other people’s feelings.
I then spoke about my experience with the Youth Suicide Prevention Walk across Canada. I emphasized how talking about our problems helps us feel better, and to be good listeners when someone seems to feel down. I answered any questions they had and told them I was available to talk to anyone as I was in town for a few days. The 2nd day I had a lot of fun playing soccer with some students followed by pizza and juice, this was probably the highlight of my trip.
The 3rd day we managed to pull off an amazing community feast with games and prizes, door prizes and a short presentation. I was impressed with how many showed up, we had about 300-350 people come and share their evening with us. Over all, I had a really good trip in Nunavik and hope that they enjoyed their time with us as much as I did with them.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Visit to Inukjuak
By Shawn Kuliktana
October 28-30, 2009 Inukjuak, QC
My visit in Inukjuak was a great experience for me and meeting more new people and also sharing my knowledge to the youth about what we face every day and how we can make it through and making our known paths.
I felt closer to the trade students because I am around that age range and I'm into the trades too. And knowing we're going into adulthood and starting families and becoming leaders for our community. And I got to share my knowledge to them. And I hope one day they will use what I gave them for their community and family members.
October 28-30, 2009 Inukjuak, QC
My visit in Inukjuak was a great experience for me and meeting more new people and also sharing my knowledge to the youth about what we face every day and how we can make it through and making our known paths.
I felt closer to the trade students because I am around that age range and I'm into the trades too. And knowing we're going into adulthood and starting families and becoming leaders for our community. And I got to share my knowledge to them. And I hope one day they will use what I gave them for their community and family members.
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