Saturday May 25, 20204 Graduation

 Hello all

Graduation night!!  Wow.  Two young ladies and one gentleman.  I didn't know any of them, as I wasn't teaching the senior grades.  I also don't really know anything about them, where they are from, their parents or relatives.  But I must tell you it was the most dramatic graduation I have ever witnessed.

About 200 villagers, and youth gathered in the decorated gym about 4:00 PM, this Saturday afternoon.  The graduates came into the space  where everyone was standing, clapping and cheering.  They took their seats, and the principal began the ceremony.

There wasn't a sound as she spoke. She told the audience how proud she was of the students, and how their hard work, commitment to study, and regular school attendance  had paid off.  One by one each graduate was introduced by a parent, teacher, and a mother and daughter team.  It was clear that these speakers were bursting with pride as they introduced their graduate.  They all spoke in Inuktitut, and each speaker broke down in tears of joy as they recounted the long journey to this day.  It was very moving and very emotional.  There wasn't a murmur from the audience as the speakers stood with microphone in hand, trying to get out how proud they were of the students.

One of the graduates ranked third in academic studies, in all Nunavik, and was awarded the Bronze medal from Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.  Her mother was so overcome with pride that she could be heard wailing and gasping for breath through her tears of joy.

The grads received class rings, state of the art cell phones, and two thousand dollars each from the community and Air Inuit.

What touched me the most was at the end of the formal ceremony, when each grad was invited to speak.  For Inuits, this is very difficult, at the best of times.  They all are very quiet spoken, and shy.  For these students, it was a hurdle they all met.  Their heartfelt gratitude to their parents, teachers and community left the entire audience in tears.

The whole evening kept me thinking about the people of the north.  It is harsh, and unforgiving.  It really is remote, and isolated.  But, this is home.  The Inuits are struggling to somehow fit into a world that is so different from theirs.   These young people that graduated tonight are the new leaders, and I feel confident that they are going to find a way to make a life for their people in the Canada of the future.

It made my heart sing to sit with my grade 3 students and their parents.  These people want education for their children.  They see the value in it, and they support it.  There is hope.

Presently, the graduation statistics are dismal.  83 % of Inuits leave school without a diploma.  Only 25.9 % graduate. 

After the ceremony

During the ceremony

Mother became so emotional, daughter took the mic

Overwhelmed, taking a moment.

Holding back tears of joy.

 Drugs and alcohol  consumption is high and death by suicide continues to haunt many families.  The sense of hopelessness is ever present, yet these young people tonight,  demonstrated that there is hope, and that they can do it.  The community support is there.  

As I looked around the gym, I spotted several Inuit women whom I became acquaintances with.  Each person had stories of  dramatic loss,  yet stories of great joy.  They did not have the luxury of a full education themselves, but they are making sure their children will.  Sounds like a story I know all too well.

Thanks for taking an interest in my blogs.  I have had the rare adventure to find out what  really is happening in the north.  These are real people with real challenges.  I am confident that the students of today will be the leaders of tomorrow.