Getting to know our staff – Interview with Alec Kudluk
In an effort to put a face to the name of the many people who make up Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI), the editorial team has put together a new type of article focusing on you, your background, and your experiences. Regardless of your years of service, we want to get to know you better.
In this article, you will meet Alec Kudluk, the multi-talented centre director at Sautjuit School in Kangirsuk.
A dependable and resourceful man
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it!”
These words had a soothing effect on me. Let’s be honest here: I have a biased opinion of Alec. He saved me from a lot of trouble and stress when I visited Kangirsuk. His confidence and smile instantly put me at ease.
Alec Kudluk has been the centre director in Kangirsuk since 2014. Alec is not new to the school scene; In fact, he started working in 1985 as a gym teacher. Over the years, Alec has held many positions between gym teacher and centre director.
“I worked for different companies along the way, and then I moved to Air Inuit, then I was the secretary treasurer for the municipality…”
But what brought him back to Sautjuit School?
What peaked my interest was that it looked like a good job. It was something I could do, with challenges that I could deal with. I also like working with students and children. So, yeah, I wanted to get back into working with children. They are easier to handle. Hahaha!
He makes his job sound easy and carefree, but it’s not. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. To paraphrase him: Alec puts a lot of his day-to-day energy into keeping everyone – staff, students, and parents alike – happy.
To be precise, what we, at KI, refer to as centre director, is the position of community liaison:
“It’s very important that the community knows what’s going on in the school. […] For example, when it comes to report cards or sporting events that we’ve planned, we want the parents to come out and watch and be a part of the action.”
But this relationship is not one-sided. Alec sees it as the school and the community working together. For example, elders are invited to school for cultural activities, like “butchering caribou, baking, making pitsik (dry fish), stuff like that. Or even just for students to listen to their stories.”
It is in the same spirit that the school organizes activities outside of school, like excursions on the land for students.
They’re always happy to be on the land. When I see their faces…I’m overcome with a feeling that we did something good. Yeah, that’s my most… That’s my proudest moment. When we organize excursions. To be out on the land, fishing, hunting with the students…
Did I mention he was also the school’s basketball coach? Alec uses this opportunity to liaise with stakeholders from other communities. For example, last year, he helped organize basketball camps and tournaments in Nunavik, as well as a training camp in Montreal.
“That is so the students have something to look forward to. It’s motivating. So they will come to school more if they have access to these sports activities, if they are on the team. […] I think we need to see more of that.”
As if this wasn’t enough, one of his many responsibilities is to manage the maintenance of KI buildings.
“For example, if a teacher has problem with their house, we try to fix it as quickly as possible. We are proactive: if we can’t do it, we report the problem to the regional maintenance manager and then they send somebody or a part we are missing. If we can fix it here, we will”.
He feels responsible for providing services and support to staff members. However, this task comes with its own set of challenges. Hiring, retention, training… The latter being especially important to him:
“When we hire, a local person will do the job. But they also need training. How to do things, how to fix things. Unfortunately, that is the part I feel is lacking. I wish we could offer more training and support to the local hires, so we could do more locally, you know?”
If I had to summarize Alec Kudluk’s work and personality, I would say that he wears many hats – community liaison and maintenance manager. He’s working to create cohesion, purpose, and a sense of belonging for Nunavimmiut.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Alec!