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Western arctic youth collective wins arctic inspiration Prize

from Tusaayaksat – Winter 2020/21

by Tusaayaksat Magazine

from Tusaayaksat – Winter 2020/21, page 82

Article from: Tusaayaksat – Winter 2020/21

Iniqtait ilisaqtatik Anniaruti...

UALLINIRMI NUTAAT INUIT

KATIMAYUAT AKIMAYAAT

AUQISUILAMI QUYALLITAUN

During a pandemic, youth coming together to support one another is more important than ever. Western Arctic Youth Collective (WAYC) was awarded $97,000 to create a network of allies and supporters of youth that have an understanding of each other’s worldviews and experiences.

Tey will help create a collective impact for Northern youth groups in the Gwich’in Settlement Region and Inuvialuit Settlement Region to meaningfully lead and create initiatives in their communities that are grounded by shared values and principles and help them network with organizations outside of their Northern regions.

JOCELYN NOKSANA WAYC STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER

My role is to be an engaged member while supporting, encouraging, and striving with my fellow members of WAYC. As one, we are strong; together we are unstoppable, achieving the goals of our committee.

We all face challenges, individually, regionally, nationally, and internationally. We need to inspire, educate, and train our youth to create change that will continue for generations. As an Inuvialuk, I take great pride in my culture and where I come from. Having the knowledge of what our ancestors had to go through for us to be where we are today has given me the values and ethics needed to work hard for what I believe in. The generational trauma of residential school has given me a deep understanding of the strength that our people had to have to overcome their challenges.

It is such a great accomplishment that we have established our committee during the COVID-19 pandemic. With all the obstacles that we face, through determination, we strive and work hard to achieve our goals. It is such an honor to have received the Arctic Inspiration Prize and I am extremely proud of the work that is ahead of us. I am positive that the initiatives that we will commence will have a powerful impact on our youth, giving them cultural identity, self-respect, and inspiration.

Working as the Corporate Manager for the local Indigenous Government, Tuktuuyaqtuuq Community Corporation, while overseeing the Jason Jacobson Youth Centre and the Aimayunga Shelter, gives me such a dynamic and unique experience. I recognize challenges that need addressing and where the resources and support are missing to build stronger relationships and maximize community and regional capacity.

I am inspired daily by my four biological children and two stepchildren to teach them dedication, respect, love, and honesty. With the support of my common-law, family and friends, I am determined and committed. It brings me great joy to see others succeed and I am extremely fortunate that I am in a career that helps me do just that.

This pandemic can be very hard for some. If you need help, do not be afraid to ask. There are so many diferent support systems and resources that are made available. Mental health is so important. To help me with the effects of the pandemic, I have learned to sew parkas, and I have taken up merging arts technology (working with vinyl, wood burning, and laser engraving to create art in a modern way).

I have also built stronger relationships with my friends and family because having the support and encouragement brings me a long way!

ALYSSA CARPENTER WAYC DIRECTOR

I have known since early December that we won the AIP Youth Category and our team will be forever known as Laureates across the North. Quyanainni to our nominator, Mayor of Iñuuvik Natasha Kulikowski, and to others that contributed to our nomination package: IRC Health and Wellness Department, Project Jewel, the Arctic Youth Network, Inuvialuit Communications Society, and Invuialuk Elder Gerry Kisoun. Our WAYC team of youth are inspiring in so many ways that energize me to keep going.

I am genuinely proud and grateful to be involved in leading the Western Arctic Youth Collective (WAYC) and to see the support and encouragement in our communities is overwhelming in the best possible way. I am inspired by the youth in our region and specifcally by the youth that volunteered to be part of our Steering Committee in Fall 2020 to help our youth collective get to this step, and now we have a team of youth working with and for WAYC.

I do not think people will realize how much work and energy youth committed to this, especially me. I am close to burnout from helping lead this collective with others from 2018 to today, as I made the decision to commit to this collective during my pregnancy and maternity leave, and those eforts continued as I transitioned back into two jobs during a pandemic. However, I am also energized in other ways and excited for what the future holds. This experience has brought me joy and fulfllment I never imagined having—and we are only getting started. To ofcially launch this youth collective during a pandemic, where youth and community coming together to support one another, is more important than ever. The connections I am building with others has been a valuable experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I hope that is also the experience for other youth that join us on this journey.