Whirlwind of Events in Aklavik

By Velma

What a whirlwind of a few months it has been. Aklavik has seen many happening events and of course we try to get as much noted as possible for Tusaayaksat.

The Aurora College students who participated in the Kitchen Helpers Course completed with flying colours. Many thanks extended to the staff & students of Moose Kerr School for allowing this course to run from your home economics room.

The staff of MKS was gone to Edmonton for a week’s worth of training from February 27th to March 3rd . The students thoroughly enjoyed a week’s break and were very anxious to return to school with vim and vigor.

Lorna Storr, coach for the Arctic Winter Games, returned with her students in winning mode. Congratulations to Crystal Koe for winning 5 medals with Dene Games: Bronzesnowsnake, bronze-stick pull, gold-hand games, silver-pole push, silver-overall points and Brenton McGee who won several medals in snowshoeing; bronze-2km race, bronze-3rd overall in sprint races. Lorna was very pleased with the students’ effort, and their hard work paid off for them. She was also proud of these students’ positive representation of Moose Kerr School and Aklavik. Great job! She was also the coach for Junior Men in Dene Games. They placed gold in hand games.

Career Quest 2006 was the place to be this school year. 14 students and 2 chaperones traveled from Moose Kerr to participate in the Career Quest. They had a special treat as Don Burnstick did an opening plenary with the students and his theme was to stay in school and follow your dreams. The students had full participation in this event. They made sure to stop by ENCANA to visit their booth and to enter their names in a draw to visit Encana’s offices in Calgary.

The Hamlet of Aklavik Recreation Committee had a grand opening of the newly completed Sam Arey Curling Rink. Arey family members were in attendance to cut the ribbon and Archie Arey did the honors of throwing the first rock on the new rink. Many thanks goes out to the various organizations, businesses and community members who donated prizes, time and prepared food for this event. It was well attended and all the Arey family extends its appreciation to all who made this a special day.

March 17th was the delayed Sweetheart bonspiel as the calendar was filled for the month of February. It was a challenge for the Sam Arey Curling Committee to slot in a time for an invitational to other communities. This was done on this weekend and there was much success as the following placed or won in the weekend event:

The Aboriginal Instructors did a wonderful job with the short Rabbit Unit that was held March 6 th to 16 th

Many thanks to elder Alice Husky and hunter/trapper Carol Arey. The students enjoyed this wonderful opportunity and the elementary students snared the most rabbits. The students are anxious for April as they will begin their muskrat unit, which is just as thrilling, and another opportunity to incorporate cultural activities into their daily learning.

The Aklavik Anglican Vestry would like to extend a warm welcome back to Geoff & Roslayn Dixon who have returned after many years to assist in filling in the parish ministry until the position can be filled permanently. Both Geoff & Rosalyn were met with great enthusiasm and warmth as the community was very happy & surprised to see them. Welcome and may you have an enjoyable stay during your time in Aklavik.

Farewell to Ray and Tina Claypool. The couple will be heading to Prince George, BC to a new home. They leave on March 29 th and the Community held a surprise feast for them at the Joe Greenland Center on Sunday March 26 th Both extended gratitude & appreciation to the people of Aklavik, family and friends.

They will return for a visit in the near future. Good Luck to you all especially Rachael and Abraham who are very excited about their new adventure.

The Aklavik Youth & Family Program sponsored seven students to attend a workshop on the weekend of March 24-26th on Healthy Lifestyles. The Aklavik Indian Band sent a group of students as well. All students enjoyed this opportunity to learn and gain knowledge on this sensitive social issue of making the positive choice to stay away from alcohol & drugs.

Kudos to the students who attended.

Graham McDonald, Eric Kendi and chaperone Ruth Stewart attended a Suicide Awareness and Access Mapping Workshop in Fort McPherson on March 17-20 th . The students appreciated this opportunity extended to them and advised that they both learned a great deal about this societal issue that takes so much potential resources from a community. The students returned wiser and determined to help others understand the difficult topic.

Aklavik Learning Centre has been on a hiatus for a week due to Reading Week. Students enjoyed their time off but will be back to their studies by March 29 th The Drivers Education course is going along fine. The students who have attended have another week left of the course. By all accounts they are really enjoying this opportunity extended to them.

David Abbott came to Moose Kerr School to offer a plumbing unit to about 10 junior and senior high students. The course was well received and everyone who participated enjoyed it very much. The students were excited about this course and look forward to another mobile unit offered by Beaufort Delta Education Council in April.

The local Science Fair was held on March 22nd and the winners were:

Mrs. Pascal’s Grade 3 class -Double Trouble, Elementary 4-6 winners; 1st-Naomi Peterson & Davonna Kasook -Stars/Planets, 2 nd -Tom Mcleod, Joseph Omilgoituk, John Jake Koe-Northern Lights, 3rd -Jessi O Pascal & Angel Kowana- Air pressure. Junior High; 1st- Trudy Dick-Enzyme Busters, 2 nd - Prarie Dawn Edwards & Trevor Gordon-Controlling Current, 3rd -Edwin Wright & Gerald JoeWhirligigs. The 1st & 2 nd place winners went over to Inuvik to participate in the regional science fair. Chaperones Frank Galway & Arlene Kogiak were very pleased with the students and their representation of their school. Kudos to positive behavior. Trudy Kogiak placed second in the grade 7-9 division. Nice job Trudy!

On a final note we would like to extend Easter Greetings to all the readers of Tusaayaksat as the festive season approaches. Each community is preparing for the Spring Carnival Circuit. There will be many visitors, family & friends that will join together to welcome a Northern spring. Enjoy and may you all have a safe & blessed Easter holiday.