It was a day of holiday bliss and companionship for the group of elders who attended the fourth annual Elder's Christmas Feast at Victor Sammurtok School (VSS) in Chesterfield Inlet on Thursday, Dec. 12.
The event was organized by longtime VSS teacher Ana Leishman, who said
24 of the 30 elders invited to the feast were able to attend.
Leishman said the feast included a turkey dinner with all the fixings, two hams, buns, macaroni salad and numerous deserts.
She said VSS principal Jack Gordon also entertained the gathering with live flute playing.
SA国际影视传媒淏ecause our school bus is currently down, we had staff members helping out by picking the elders up who needed a little assistance getting to the school,SA国际影视传媒� said Leishman.
SA国际影视传媒淚t was a team effort to get everyone to the school and, once everyone was there, Father Kwong, our priest and elder, said an opening prayer, I thanked everyone for coming and let them know the event
Ana Leishman, right, helps fill the plates as, from left, Dayna Aggark, Mark Amarok and Jeannine Ippiak make their way down the serving line during the Elder's Christmas Feast at Victor Sammurtok School in Chesterfield Inlet on Dec. 12. Photo courtesy Glen Brocklebank
was sponsored by Northern Canada Mini Projects,SA国际影视传媒� said Leishman.
SA国际影视传媒淓ach of our elders was, kind of, adopted by someone from southern Canada. The only information I give them in the south is the name of the elder and what hockey team they like.
SA国际影视传媒淭hey each get a little Christmas package that might have some goodies or treats, or a little Christmas decoration SA国际影视传媒� just a little something to remind everyone that there are people out there who think about Northern Canada, our elders and youth.SA国际影视传媒�
Leishman said many of the elders told her it was just really nice to have an event like this that allows them the time to get out and see each other.
She said even in a small community like Chester, it's not something the elders get to do a whole lot.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome of our elders grew-up together, so they have a long history together and plenty of stories, but they don't always get an opportunity to come together and reminisce.
SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the elders told us it was just nice to sit together and talk to everyone, and they wished they could do it more often.
SA国际影视传媒淭hat's one of the things we talk about at the school; how do we provide opportunities throughout the year to bring our elders together and this is, of course, a big one at Christmas, but we want to provide other get-togethers for them, as well.SA国际影视传媒�
Leishman said students at VSS help out at the feast, as well.
She said after school staff members get the whole event put together, senior students from grades nine to 12 help serve the food.
SA国际影视传媒淲e have some kids helping put the portions on each plate and we have others, who we call runners, who get everything for the elders who arenSA国际影视传媒檛 very mobile and they appreciate the service.
SA国际影视传媒淚t's always nice to see our elders being catered to by the students like that.
SA国际影视传媒淚t just helps the gathering be a very, very special event the elders really enjoyed.SA国际影视传媒�
