IlisaqsivikSA国际影视传媒檚 Inuit-led counsellor training program has prepared numerous people now qualified to offer help, according to Joshua Akavak, the Clyde River-based organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 counsellor manager.
SA国际影视传媒淚 am proud that this program has 50 graduates who are now offering support across Nunavut,SA国际影视传媒� he said.
IlisaqsivikSA国际影视传媒檚 counsellor training program, officially named Our LifeSA国际影视传媒檚 Journey: Inuit Counsellor Training Program, has been operating for about 15 years.
The program was developed in response to SA国际影视传媒渢he acute need for counselling by Inuit, for Inuit,SA国际影视传媒� according to IlisaqsivikSA国际影视传媒檚 website.
SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 important because we get to speak in our own language,SA国际影视传媒� said Akavak, who is himself a graduate of the program. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 easier to talk to somebody whoSA国际影视传媒檚 got the same background. Our way of life is different from the non-Inuit way of life. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 important that we have a sense of sympathy in these counselling sessions. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 better for the client to speak to somebody with the same background.
SA国际影视传媒淯nderstanding each other is a big thing for us.SA国际影视传媒�
IlisaqsivikSA国际影视传媒檚 counsellor training program is broken into five modules. There is one module every three months, and each one is composed of two courses, which cover topics like loss, trauma, addictions and abuse. Each course takes five days each to complete.
SA国际影视传媒淭his pace works well,SA国际影视传媒� according to Akavak, as many trainees come to Clyde River from other communities.
Graduates of the program can work as counsellors for Ilisaqsivik across Nunavut, or join other operations if they choose.
SA国际影视传媒淚lisaqsivik provides crisis services across Nunavut, and we prioritize the Baffin region for crisis response,SA国际影视传媒� Akavak said. SA国际影视传媒淲e try to have people in every community, so graduates have the opportunity to work with Ilisaqsivik on a casual basis, or with another organization.SA国际影视传媒�
Feedback from graduates has been good, according to Akavak.
While the intention of the program is to train Inuit to help each other, he said many graduates have found the program to be personally beneficial as well.
SA国际影视传媒淭he feedback we hear most often is that graduates were personally helped with this training program,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淚t gives trainees the time to work on themselves while they are training. We highly believe we have to work on ourselves to help other people.
SA国际影视传媒淥nce graduates start working, they tell us the training prepared them well to support others. They are able to support people within their community,SA国际影视传媒� he added.
Having shepherded 50 Inuit counsellors, the impacts of IlisaqsivikSA国际影视传媒檚 counsellor training program are already being felt across Nunavut.
For Akavak, that is a source of immense pride.
SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 very proud of the team every time I hear from other people that our counselling work has helped them in their life SA国际影视传媒� either professionally or personally,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur team is there for people who need help.SA国际影视传媒�
