In October 2018, youth from different communities converged on Rankin Inlet to attend the Power for the Positive youth conference hosted by the Canadian Red Cross and the Government of Nunavut.
The conference included students from the Nunavut communities of Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake, Arviat, Chesterfield Inlet and Naujaat.
The two-day event provided students an opportunity to attend a number of workshops mainly focused on the two major themes of the conference: building resiliency and celebrating Inuit identity.
Some of the workshops involved learning from Inuit Elders and fellow youth about Inuit history and how to use their talents. There were also sessions on building healthy relationships, intervening in bullying situations, dealing with substance abuse, and how to take care of one’s self and others during difficult times.
Area throat-singer, writer and musician Kathleen Merritt kicked off the event by sharing with the students in attendance her experiences in performing across the country and her passion for performing. She also focused her message on overcoming substance use and violence, expressing to the students that it takes courage to reach out for help and to get the support that is needed to heal and find one’s own voice.
The conference was the third of its kind in Nunavut. Previous conferences had been held in Iqaluit and Cambridge Bay. The next youth conference to be organized by the Red Cross and the Government of Nunavut is scheduled for the community of Pond Inlet, in October 2019.
Manitoba 2018-2019 Report Back to Communities