Northern plastic bag reduction program creates environmental opportunities for Sanikiluaq students
Written by Deborah Thomas-
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It's all smiles in Sanikiluaq as the Northern store presents their donation to the Sanikiluaq Parks Project on October 15.
Deborah Thomas
On Saturday, October 15, 2011, the Sanikiluaq Northern Store and Environmental Committee awarded the Sanikiluaq Community Learning Centre with proceeds from the Reduce Shopping Bag program. The $4525.00 donation to the Sanikiluaq Park Project will be used to organize and fund land trip outings with community Elders, providing them with opportunities to speak on issues concerning wildlife and the environment.
“Approximately half of the total sum awarded has been ear marked for one or two trips on the land while students work with Nunavut Parks to gather, enter and report data concerning three prospective park sites,” said Deborah Thomas, Arctic College’s Adult Instructor in Sanikiluaq. “We are also planning to take one of the high school classes (approximately 10 youth and their teacher) with us on our trip.”
“This funding will also provide honorarium for Elders who will come to the classroom to help students verify place names, translations and historic details, which will all be entered into Excel spread sheets provided by Aarluk Consultants and Parks Nunavut,” she said. “Additionally, Aarluk Consultants and Parks Nunavut will be providing honorariums and ATV fuel to help with the project.”
The Sanikiluaq students hope to go out on the land for one full day within the next two weeks.
Thomas said the project welcomes requests from Nuiyak School and Paatsaali School should they want to use some of the money for an environmental project of their choosing.
It is very likely that we will continue to receive proceeds from the sales of grocery bags for future projects and will partner with the local schools to insure the wisdom of elders is shared as vastly as possible.
Nunavut Arctic College would very much like to thank the Sanikiluaq Northern Store for supporting our students, youth and the community, and for promoting opportunities to study traditional knowledge and environmental issues.