July 20, 2021
By reception_isuarsivik

We are very excited to announce that Dolly Mesher, our Community Addictions Counsellor in Puvirnituq, will be integrating Isuarsivik Continued-Care services into the Puvirnituq Summer Camp program, a local initiative run by community members for the past 25 years.

As a way for teenagers and adults of Puvirnituq to regain their culture and knowledge of the land, learn how to harvest and encourage community sharing of food, this summer camp was created and has been run mainly by Carole Beaulne and her life partner, Paulusi Nolvalinga since its creation. Having a zero-tolerance for alcohol consumption and focusing on reclaiming Inuit culture and traditional knowledge, it aligns itself very well with Isuarsivik’s values and approach.

During their stay at the camp, guests sleep in tents that were made by the hosts themselves. All the food caught is shared equally with all participants and the community when the crew gets back to Puvirnituq. The program is very well received by the community at large, Elders and community members are always very happy to hear that the group is coming back. They greet the participants at their arrival and are pleased to take home processed country food brought back by the group.

During this trip, women are taught how to properly clean skins and handle harvested meats. Men are taught how to hunt, fix their equipment, journey on the land and are told about the history of the land they are hunting in. Akinisie Sivuaraapik, a local throat singing artist, will also join the group to teach drum dancing and throat singing. The participants will be able to showcase their learning during a show planned at the end of the camp. Dolly will now also be actively participating in the programming of the camp by leading Isuarsivik-specific activities with the participants.

For this year’s edition of the Puvirnituq Summer Camp, participants will leave by the end of July and will be gone for a total of three weeks. We are extremely happy to be able to bring Isuarsivik guests along to further support them on their personal journey. This is a perfect example of the impact potential and the synergy between Isuarsivik community counsellors and local community-led initiatives. We are eager to further develop each community’s network and provide community members with additional resources to encourage a healthy lifestyle and limit the impacts of substance abuse in the region.

Categories: News