Akulivik Students Get Published

Under the guidance of their teacher, Quinn Carter, secondary 3,4, and 5 English students from Akulivik worked tirelessly on preparing a photo essay about their community. The students were responsible for creating a collection of their writing describing their community. This group is the fourth to participate in this project which is masterminded and organized by Blue Metropolis, a Montreal based non-profit organization. One of the objectives of the project is for students to reflect on what makes their community unique and express and share their reflections in written form. Past topics by groups from Nunavik have included: dog sled teams, Inuit now and then, and community activities. This year, the participating class focused on the school and its role within the community.

The students writing adventure began in the fall when author Monique Pollack and photographer Thomas Kneubühler visited Akulivik to provide the students with some professional guidance. The author and photographer provided workshops to the students and assisted them through the initial steps of the project. The author, photographer, and classroom teacher continued to support the students over the ensuing four months. During this time, students reflected, drafted, edited, and took photographs. The process was long and difficult, and though discouraged from time to time, the students persevered until a final product was assembled. The students’ work was destined to be included with the work of five other English schools in Quebec. The result--a book representing the diversity of communities within the province of Quebec.

The book, Quebec Roots-The Place Where I Live 2010, was launched in late April in Montreal. Three students that demonstrated exceptional commitment over the course of the project received the privilege and responsibility of representing their class at the book launch. While in Montreal, the students and their teacher had the opportunity to attend the Blue Metropolis Literary Festival. They participated in writing workshops led by authors and had an opportunity to meet one of the other groups that participated in the project. While visiting the other class, the Akulivik students shared some of their culture (throat singing and Inuktitut lessons). The selected students proved to be excellent ambassadors for their class.

While in Montreal, Mary Qinuajuak, a secondary 5 student, was interviewed by CBC Montreal. This interview can be viewed at:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Canada/Montreal/ID=1476488768

The pieces written by the students are varied, interesting, and engaging. They cover a wide variety of topics: school history, residential schools, school trips, sports, boredom, culture classes, school trips, and graduation.

Below are two extracts from the book.

I’m So Bored
I’m so bored I could die right now.
I am doing nothing
But watching the clock.
The red second hand moves so so slowly.

Next to me, Annie spears her eraser with her pencil.
Jason yawns and I can see all his teeth.

Miss C is talking about some book she once read.
She says, “Reading is great.”
Mary calls out, “What’s so great about it?”

Miss C says learning to read is good for you.

I’m so bored to be in school.
My eyes feel dry.

Next to me, Yolande draws a butterfly on her yellow binder.

Miss C talks on and on.
It I was a butterfly
I could fly right out of here.

Taalia calls out, “Stop talking!”
It’s time to go for lunch!”
“Wait!” Miss C says as we walk out the door.

“There’s still time for learning.”

Why I want to Graduate
I want to graduate because only a few people from Akulivik have fnished high school and I want to be like them. My mom really wants me to graduate! She’s proud of me because I’m nearly there. Two of my favourite cousins are high school graduates, and I want to follow in their footsteps. For seven years, no one has graduated from our high school, but I think we will do it this year.
-Mary Qinuajak

According to the government, about 90 percent of students drop out of school in Nunavik. My mother makes me go to school. She wakes me up every morning and tells me to get dressed and brush my teeth. She says, “Tupalaurit” which means “Wake up!” in Inuttitut.

I’ve been thinking about graduation for five years now. My family was really proud when my cousin Johnny Aliqu graduated from high school last year. I want to do the same thing, but I also want to go to college because I want to get a good full-time job. If I ever go to college, I’d love to take my beautiful girlfriend with me.
-Jason Aliqu