Made-in-Nunavut self-advocacy workshop teaches young Nunavummiut to “Raise Your Voice”

MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release

January 25, 2018

Iqaluit, NU - This week, the Representative for Children and Youth’s Office (RCYO) will be delivering their made-in-Nunavut, self-advocacy workshop, “Raise Your Voice”, for students at Aqsarniit Middle School in Iqaluit.

“The goals of this workshop are to educate children and youth about their rights and responsibilities and to help foster growth and confidence with self-advocacy skill development”, said the Representative for Children and Youth, Sherry McNeil-Mulak. “The workshop was designed by the office with young Nunavummiut in mind. Our goal was to develop content that was fun, meaningful and relatable in order to help students make connections and encourage active participation,” said McNeil-Mulak.

To date, the workshop has been delivered to 244 students in six communities across the territory and the RCYO will continue making it available to students, grades seven to 12. In December 2017, all of the grade eight students at the middle school attended the workshop, and this week’s workshops will be presented to all grade seven students.

“Children’s rights are important to us,” said James Rankin, Student Support Teacher at Aqsarniit Middle School. “I think it is important for students in the school to participate in this workshop in order to feel more comfortable advocating for themselves when the need arises. This is an important skill that students can use throughout their lives.”

For more information about the workshop see the attached outline. Media is invited to attend the January 25 workshop at Aqsarniit Middle School from 12:45 – 2 pm. Please plan to arrive prior to the workshop for interviews with the RCYO, faculty, and students.

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For more information:

Kim Foster
Manager of Communications and Public Awareness
Representative for Children and Youth Office
867-975-5091 kfoster@rcynu.ca