Developing a sense of community was stressed during East Three Secondary SchoolSA国际影视传媒檚 wellness day.

All four keynote speakers during the morningSA国际影视传媒檚 assembly talked about the importance of community Tuesday, Jan. 9.

Bobbie Jo Greenland-Morgan, president of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Tribal Council, said that community means not just the town where people live, but also their friends and family.

SA国际影视传媒淭he most successful community is a community that works together and supports each other and brings out the good in each other,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

In high school, Greenland-Morgan left the region to take Grade 10 in Saskatoon, going from a community of about 600 people in Aklavik to 200,000.

SA国际影视传媒淭he very first thing I did there is I found a sense of community,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚n my case it was the aboriginal population there, because I felt supported by them, because we shared common values and beliefs.SA国际影视传媒�

She encouraged students to carry themselves in a positive way and respect themselves first.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you canSA国际影视传媒檛 respect yourself, you donSA国际影视传媒檛 know how to respect those around you, and that includes not just your peers but your educators,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland-Morgan.

SA国际影视传媒淭ry to always be mindful of those around you.SA国际影视传媒�

Three other young adults spoke during the opening of the annual event, including Alyssa Carpenter, Noel Cockney and Chukita Gruben.

Carpenter talked about her challenges with depression and anxiety, saying even that morning she had had only two hours of sleep while preparing for her speech.

SA国际影视传媒淚 wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be where I am without my community,SA国际影视传媒� said Carpenter.

She talked about being involved in community events growing up in her home of Sachs Harbour and the connection she found with sports.

Cockney encouraged students to share their stories of the North when they travel.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important for us as people of the North to share stories,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Gruben talked about staying in her community of Tuktoyaktuk post-graduation and how she has found joy in working.

After the morning speeches, the day consisted of several workshops, including ones about self-harm, social services, traditional crafts, cyber safety, sexual health, judo and more.