A Perfect Week to Our Final Chapter In Pond Inlet

It feels like it was just yesterday that we were packing our suitcases, full of dried goods and meat in order to leave for Pond Inlet. Now here we are in our final week before we go back and leave the place that we have come to know as home.This was a week filled with a ton of energy, excitement, tears of joy and the occasional stressful situation. Never the less it was an unforgettable week. Monday till Friday we had spent the mornings in the elementary school,  teaching the grade 5 and 6 students.  It was nice being able to go into the classroom setting having already built relationships with the students. Many of the students had remembered us from the sleepover and mostly from seeing us around the community. The students were quite an energetic bunch which was a refreshing difference from the high-school students.  We taught a wide variety of lessons including self-esteem, bullying, dental health, smoking, marijuana, and finally nutrition. The students seemed to be really engaged in our lessons and often contributed their own opinions as well as questions.Some other highlights of this week included trying seal for the very first time!! We had two of our students come to the door with a piece of raw seal liver and its eyeball. We both agreed that the seal liver tasted like beef but was very chewy. As for the eyeball it’s hard to think of a comparison however it’s unlike anything I’ve tried before.  The students explained to us that the eyeball is considered to be one of the best parts. So thank-you John for being so kind and sharing that with us!!! That same day we also got to meet Jason’s puppy that was only 7 hours old!!!! Most adorable puppy everTuesday was an exciting day for the grade 6 students as they had their graduation!!!! Instead of teaching a lesson that day we had helped out with some of the preparations before their graduation.  We assisted in organizing and decorating the classroom where snacks and refreshments would be served for family and guests. We also helped curl the girl’s hair for this very special day! It was fun being able to do the girls hair as many of them have never had their hair curled before. Their reactions afterwards were priceless and they were all extremely happy with how it ended up looking. Many of the students had expressed how they were scared/ worried to be in the high school next year (as it is grade 7-12). We then told them that change is a scary thing however, they will be able to meet new students and become more involved if they so choose. We wish only the best for Sarah and Kate’s grade 6 class as they move onto their next journey.

                

During the afternoons we were back in the high school teaching the grade 12 students. It was interesting being able to be with two different groups of students who were each moving onto another big chapter in their lives. Whether that be high school, post-secondary, a job or simply unsure of what the future holds they are each facing a change and growing as individuals. While with the grade 12s we taught lessons on smoking, marijuana, alcohol, healthy relationships, suicide, healthy parenting, sexually transmitted infections and consent. Afterschool we helped transform the gym for the graduation dinner happening on Thursday. All of the grads and teachers hard work truly paid off as the gym looked like a completely different room. For dinner we helped out in cooking ribs, rice, veggies and 26 boxes of stuffing!!!! Our culinary skills have definitely improved since being here aha.We feel very fortunate to have been invited to the graduation dinner as we were able to listen to the grads heartfelt speeches. Even though we only just met we are so extremely proud of the 20 grads of Nasivvik. Congratulations on pushing through and graduating from high-school. We wish we could have been there today to cheer you all on as you walk across the stage. Good luck and we wish you all only the best.“Look, if you had, one shot, or one opportunity

To seize everything you ever wanted. In one moment

Would you capture it, or just let it slip?

                                                 He better go capture this moment and hope it don't pass him

You better lose yourself in the music, the moment

You own it, you better never let it go (go)

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow

This opportunity comes once in a lifetime ”

^For those who don’t know the above quote are lyrics from Eminem’s song “Lose Yourself” which is a celebrity who we found many of the students looked up to as a role model. I think in this case the message we want to get across is that where ever your path takes you just make sure you push yourself. Remain true to yourself and do what you are passionate about.Love Kaitlyn and Jillxo