Nunavut Youth Consulting started as the High School Café. The High School Café began in January 1998 at Inuujaq School in Arctic Bay, Nunavut. It was started as a part of the Math 16/26/36 class. The object was to give the students on Individual Education Programs basic math skills and work experience. This program later grew into providing leadership skills, volunteerism and community service. The program was a huge success and with the money that was raised participants purchased Inuujaq School jackets for themselves, the graduating class of 1998 and 1997. The High School Café was closed in June of 1998 as the school year ended.
In August of 1998, the High School Café was not going to reopen because the Math 16/26/36 class would not be offered until the second term. A group of students approached Ron Elliott and asked if they could volunteer their time to continue the Café. After speaking with the Principal and Vice-Principal, we approached the Inuujaq School District Education Authority to ask permission to run the High School Café for a second year. Permission was granted but the students had to do all of the work for the Café before school, during recesses and after school. The students agreed that this would be all right for them. They kept track of their own hours and received Career and Technology Studies credits in Volunteerism, Leadership, Work Experience and Community Service. This was all completed above and beyond their regular school day. In 1999, the Café won the Wally Beevor Award for School-to-Work transition. This award was given to one school in each province and territory for a program, which exemplified in aiding with the School-to-Work transition. The 2000 school year marked the groups fourth year of operation. Some of the founding members were still heavily involved in the daily operation of the High School Café even though they had graduated.
Back to top
The High School Café sold nutritious snacks and provided coffee to staff and students. They sold cheese buns, cheese sticks, muffins, jello, cereal bars, Rice Krispy Squares, apples, oranges and bananas. They prepared all of the baked goods.
They stocked supplies, sold the products, baked, assisted with ordering, counted the money, deposited and kept the financial records. They also expanded into organizing dances and table sales. We help Nunavut Quest to carry on to do the dances. These activities provides excellent educational opportunities. Dances enhance the students' leadership skills, organization skills and build self esteem. The table sales are like garage sales held in the community hall. These provide the same educational value as previously mentioned but are also considered part of a commitment to the environment. Most of theitems sold at these table sales are used so it acts as a recycling program. Recently, with the continued growth of Nunavut Youth Consulting and the youths' commitment to quality they are being called upon to cater various activities. For example they have catered staff parties, community meetings and provided refreshment for tourists passing through Arctic Bay on cruise ships. The students have also collected money for UNICEF and assisted with various other community fund raising activities.
Back to top
The intention of the Nunavut Youth Consulting is not to make a profit. Prices were kept low so that youth and community members can afford the products. All of the money raised has been used for citizenship activities. In the first year, as the High School Café, the money raised went to purchase jackets for the high school students including the graduates. In its second year, the High School Café purchased Inuujaq School long sleeve shirts for the entire school. They have held special dinners to honor community members such as the Elders' Committee. In various poster contests, the High School Café donated prizes such as hockey sticks to winners. They donated money to many worthwhile community sponsored events such as the Christmas Feast Committee. They donated money to needy families who wanted to attend their parent's funeral in other communities. As well they have donated funds to students in the school so that they could participate in summer, educational programs such as the Nunavut Youth Abroad Program. Each year Nunavut Youth Consulting has set even higher expectations for themselves. By 1999, the High School Café had moved farther out into the community. They had standing members on various community organizations such as the Nunavut Quest Committee, Ikpiarjukmit CAP Site Steering Committee, Arctic Bay Youth Committee and the #3045 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps of Arctic Bay. The Café members started the process of developing a business plan to open a bed and breakfast in Arctic Bay. This venture was exciting as it is an extension of the work the students have already been involved in. At the completion of the business plan the youth decided that a bed and breakfast was not what they wanted for themselves. They decided to work on a second business plan for an Internet Café. This plan was completed in the fall of 2001. At that time the youth decided to continue their training before opening the business. The main reason for developing a business is to be able to provide some sustainability funding for Nunavut Youth Consulting.
In November of 2000, the youth solidified their intentions of continuing to develop themselves and the community through volunteerism, by forming the non-profit organization called Nunavut Youth Consulting. On November 11, 2000, the High School Café ceased to exist and Nunavut Youth Consulting was born. All activities that the High School Café worked on were carried over into the work completed by Nunavut Youth Consulting. The youth decided that their two main areas of concentration would be education and health. They have continued to up hold these two areas of concentration still today. Nunavut Youth Consulting operates a number of literacy projects in Arctic Bay and across Nunavut. They have assisted different organizations and government departments to and provide a voice for Nunavut youth. A mission statement was created to guide the organization.
Back to top
