I N TRANSITION

“I knew that a principal was needed, a vacancy has been here for a while, so I came into the community knowing that there was no place for me to live yet. I stayed at k uptana’s Guest h ouse for about a week, and that’s $235 a day. BDEC (Beaufort Delta Education Council) was subsidizing but I couldn’t afford to stay. a nd then I was house sitting, and when that was coming to an end they managed to fit me into the rCM p house for about a week. f inally I moved into the manager’s apartment in the Co-op. It will be shared accommodation, but it’s good, because I can finally unpack now,” she smiles.

Linda first saw s achs h arbour during her northern journey on an icebreaker last year. “I like the kids. s achs h arbour, there’s something about it. I wanted to come back,” she said.

The school is comprised of three classes, broken into grades k-3, 4-6, and 7-9.

“With the numbers, it’s good. We have 26 students, and I like it because I can work directly with the kids and see what they need and help them.” f uel can cost as much as $800 a month, and food is expensive in s achs h arbour. Catherine, who has to pay student loans on top of her other expenses said, “It’s been a really hard year, I love it here though. But without housing, I’ve already sent in my notice and will not be coming back next year.”

It does not seem to make sense that educators passionate to do a good job have no homes in the northern communities they come to. Catherine Macaskill, who has been teaching in s achs h arbour since last July, has moved twice since her arrival. “It’s not really conducive to coming into the classroom when you are under a lot of stress,” she said.

“This is a problem throughout the n WT, the northern allowance isn’t keeping up with the cost of living,” said Linda. “There’s a real value to northern housing being provided for teachers. you can jump right into the job, and do a much better job.”

Students in Transition

There are about six people in Inuthayak school’s grade seven to nine class today. s ome of them will be finishing grade 9 this year. It’s time for them to decide whether they want to continue their education elsewhere.

Tessa Lucas is going to Inuvik for her grade 10. s he has attended grade 7 in Inuvik and has been thinking about her upcoming transition. She felt the last time was “good,” as she “made a lot of friends.” She likes that there will be more options for entertainment, food and shopping in Inuvik. s he is not worried about the lack of housing, as her mother lives in Inuvik.

s teven Lucas is Tessa’s cousin. h e has chosen not to go further with his schooling. h e said, “I’ve already lived there [In Inuvik] for eight years. I got sick of it. It’s too loud. I am going to start helping my dad John Lucas Jr. on the land. I’ll help him to hunt in the spring, and help him to make money though sport hunting.”