Young Parents Graduate Together

Some people think it’s tough to get through High School and get a diploma. Imagine trying to graduate while also being a new parent! Denise Okheena and Danny Taptuna of Ulukhaktok have managed to do just that this year, graduating with flying colors. Their two and a half year old son, Teegan, must be cheering for his parents.

Denise said, “I dropped out of school for a semester, and went back in the New Year. I wanted to finish school so I could get a better job, because I have a kid now.” Initially, both Danny and her were shocked to find out she was pregnant, but they adjusted to the news well because they had been “wanting one” for a while.

“It’s fun being a dad, but it’s hard to be in school, thinking about whether he’s being a good boy or not,” said Danny. “I just took it step by step, day by day, I kept trying harder and harder.” They both fulfilled attendance requirements and made their grades by helping each other.

“When we both took the same classes, sometimes there would be a session in the morning and another in the afternoon. I would go in the morning and Danny would go in the afternoon. We took turns to look after Teegan,” Denise said.

It also helped that their teachers allowed Teegan to come to class sometimes, if he was not too noisy or was sleeping.

“Some people told me I won’t make it, that I won’t last till grade 12, but others told me not to listen to these people, and to prove them wrong.” Danny is glad he reached his goal. “My friends kept saying, keep going, stay in school and don’t drop out.”

They encourage other young parents to do the same. It helps to “take it step by step, take the child to daycare or your relatives”, Danny said.

It’s been two months since their graduation, and the next challenge is to find jobs. Denise is working part-time at the Northern as she sends out resumes, and Danny is trying to get a job with Shoreline Clean up.

“It’s hard to find a job in the small communities, but I will find one eventually,” Danny said with determination. He is hoping to work for First Air one day. They want to stay in Ulukhaktok and be close to the land, “but if there’s no jobs here, we’ll have to find another community”, said Danny.

Denise wants to go back to school when Teegan is a little older, and learn how to run a small business. “I would like to open an Arcade in Ulukhaktok, the kids don’t really have any place to go these days.” In July, Danny and Denise took twelve youth out on the land as part of a HTC program.