National Outstanding Volunteer Award In The News Tusaayaksani Mary Kudlak’s

family is very happy for her. “She’s always busy,” her son said, “helping others.” Mary is one of the winners of the 2006 National Outstanding Volunteer Awards.

“I learnt to volunteer from my grandfather and grandmother, the Manoyaks. They used to always help other people when they need help, and give food and clothing out to other people. Long ago when life was hard, and people didn’t have money, my grandfather used to give away a lot of food for winter so when other people needed food or was short of ammunition for rifles. When I grew up I saw it, so I guess it runs in the blood.In a way it was hard in the old days, but it was easier because people didn’t need to work for money. ”

“When people are sad or in trouble I go over to them and try to talk to them about it. When people are out on the land and people need to find them, I use my phone to let them call long distance because I know the need is there, they might be in trouble or their machines might be broken.”

She lived at camps as a child, but moved to Ulukhaktok with her family for education. She is 62 years old, and has a beautiful, ringing laugh.

Rhea Klengenberg, her grandchild wants to be a volunteer when she grows up too. “I want to start sewing when I grow up, so I can sew clothes for people when they need them.”