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Loca L vo L unteers he L p c L ear hurd L es to n ew Mexico excursion
Behindthe adventure of youth from the NWT soaking up culture and sports in New Mexico, is the sweat and dedication of a group of volunteers. Once the volunteer coaches found out about the opportunity, they fielded four teams from NWT, began training, and also set about trying to raise $29,000 in five months.
Yvonne and Paul Stockton (Fort Simpson coach) also networked extensively to get their teams onto game rosters, especially for the upcoming North American Indigenous Games. “They did an excellent job as coordinators,” said Donald Kuptana, coach of the Under 14 Boys team.
Parents and members of their communities gathered to fundraise through bottle drives, campaigning sponsors, and more. “Picking up garbage is not really that attractive,” said Lucy Kuptana, manager and chaperone of the NWT soccer team.
“I really commend Yvonne, Donald, and all the coaches for their dedication and patience with the kids. I think it’s a special skill they have, not everybody can do it!” While sponsors such as Canadian North, Shell and Norterra stepped up to the plate financially, the team also had to face another “huge hurdle.”
“It was a huge challenge getting passports for these children. We had to enlist the help of our MP Dennis Bevington, to get the passports done. Lucy was lining up at the passport office to get the passports at Edmonton the day before we left, and even then we found out one of them was mailed out instead,” said Yvonne.
“ The lady behind the counter asked me why we didn’t come in person, and why we applied so late. I told her that we applied since the first week of March, and that it costs a lot of money for us to travel from Inuvik to Edmonton! After she heard that, she helped issue a temporary passport for Scott,” said Lucy. “Months before this, other parents and I were calling the passport office daily, trying to make sure the passports did come through. I was on the phone for an hour and a half each day, listening to you are caller 59…you are caller 58,” said Lucy.
Both Donald and Yvonne Carpenter had to request leave from their full time jobs, in order to chaperone and coach the young soccer players. Despite the headaches involved with arranging opportunities for Northern youth to experience more of the world, Donald is happy to continue volunteering. He hopes to help create a stronger volunteer base.
“Some people think it’s too challenging, but to me, it’s something we need to do. It’s good for the kids, they learn through trips like this that if they stay in school and work hard, there will be opportunities for them to travel. I’ll like to see more people come forward and say, I want to do this too. A lot more of my friends are volunteering now. And it’s not only for our kids, we should also help the less fortunate children. We need the community to see that this is available and happening.”
Chairperson: Colin Okheena, (since January 1, 2006 until December 31, 2008)
Vice Chair: Peter Malgokak
Secretary Treasurer : Angela Kuneyuna
Directors: John Alikamik, Joshua Oliktoak, Anita Oliktoak, Victoria Akhiatak
Corporate Manager: Laverna Klengenberg, (since November 2005)
Term Community Development Facilitator: Melanie Kimiksana (until Janet Kanayok returns from maternity leave)
Brighter Futures Coordinator: Vacant (until Leah Ann Kuneyuna returns in January 08)
Janitor: Kirby Nokadlak
Importance of UCC in community:
UCC is important to the community and its members because we are here to offer local services and programs in both cultural and traditional development for members of all ages. We are also here to provide help with aboriginal issues and local concerns.
UCC’s mandate:
Our mandate is to oversee and administer programs and services to the Inuvialuit members of Ulukhaktok, in accordance with the IFA (Inuvialuit Final Agreement) under the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.
Requirements for membership:
1. 18 years and older
2. Resident of Ulukhaktok for six consecutive months
3. Inuvialuit beneficiary
4. Not a member of any other CC.