The NunatuKavut Health and Social Sector’s projects, Full Circle ~ Breaking the Cycle of Drug Use and the Learning for Life ~ Preventing Diabetes had a very busy March month with activities in many communities on the southeast coast of Labrador. With funding from Health Canada and the provincial Women’s Policy Office’s Violence Prevention Initiative,
Sherry Turnbull and Melita Paul led several events during this time. Sherry was accompanied by Brandon Ramey, a NunatuKavut youth volunteer from Happy Valley-Goose Bay. They did education sessions around drug and alcohol in four schools and one youth centre during Education week, March 6-8. Brandon Sherry’s message was heard by 97 youth during those sessions. Melita carried out two sessions during this week; a presentation with elementary students in St. Lewis around the importance of eating healthy and being active in order to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes, as well as a healthy luncheon was held in Norman Bay. The students and community residents in Norman Bay were invited to the school to enjoy a lunch of healthy fruits and veggies and an information session/ game around diabetes awareness and prevention.
On March 9-11, a youth conference took place in Mary’s Harbour. Scott Ward, a presenter from British Columbia did sessions around bullying, team building, cultural awareness, hoop dancing, empowerment, self esteem and drugs and alcohol awareness as well as a community hypnosis show and video dance party for all youth. Scott is well known for his work with youth of all ages in the various workshops he facilitates on issues affecting them today. During this conference there were several other presenters on topics from HIV/AIDS (Scosha Diamond), Diabetes Awareness to Knowing your Feelings (Vivian O’Brien). The 31 youth who attended this conference were very impressed with the sessions and had a great time.
On March 24th there was an Elder/Youth outing that took place near St. Lewis. Youth aged seven-12 and two of our Aboriginal Elders took part in traditional fun and teachings. It was a fun afternoon enjoyed by youth and parents who attended. Other information sessions were held in March with youth in Charlottetown, in partnership with Charlottetown Anti-Violence Committee and Eagle’s Nest Youth Centre and Edge Youth Group.
NunatuKavut also partnered on two occasions in March with a group from Cartwright who presented their personal stories about the effects of drug and alcohol and how it has impacted their lives. Sherry also had the opportunity to speak to 30 youth from Charlottetown and Port Hope Simpson on taking your stand again drug use.
As one youth put it best, “As youth we play the role to lead by example to a younger generation and it’s our responsibility to take ownership of our actions and learn from our mistakes.”
Another youth made the following statement about the youth conference, “These people made my whole weekend the best weekend of my life. I've laughed till it hurts, lifted them off their feet (literally) and probably have had the most incredible weekend ever with these children. I never want the memories of this trip to leave my head...ever”.
For more information or to suggestion future activities, please contact Darlene Wall at dwall@nunatukavut.ca (1-877-896-0592, Ext. 2238), Melita Paul at mpaul@nunatukavut.ca (709-949-0292) or Sherry Turnbull at sturnbull@nunatukavut.ca (709-949-0366).
