Kuujjuaq, Québec, November 8, 2017 – Makivvik is pleased to announce another important step towards the development of a new approach and structure for the development of minor hockey in Nunavik. The new orientation, developed with the support of a special committee will allow for increased participation rates from young players, greater community involvement, and more emphasis on social development.
“In February of this year we announced that we would chart a new direction for Minor Hockey in Nunavik,” said Jobie Tukkiapik, president of Makivvik. “I am proud to announce that we are giving a new impulse to our hockey program, with the inclusion of more Inuit playing the game for longer periods of time.”
Specifically, for the 2017-2018 hockey season in Nunavik, Makivvik is pleased to announce the following:
- Hiring of a Regional Hockey Coordinator
- Funding provided to communities for Local Hockey Trainers (LHTs)
- Organization of coaching clinics for the LHTs
- Organization of youth hockey development clinics in the community
- Organization of minor hockey regional tournaments at the end of the hockey season
This announcement is grounded on the work done by the Nunavik Minor Hockey Orientation Committee, formed in the spring of 2017. The group, composed of representatives from Makivvik, the Kativik Regional Government, Mayors, Youth, Parents, and local hockey representatives, was mandated to develop a vision for a minor hockey structure and development in Nunavik.
The mission statement developed by the Committee for hockey in Nunavik is “To have a self-sustaining, community-driven, culturally respectful hockey program that helps enrich the lives of youth in Nunavik.”
The Committee has invited hockey experts from organizations, and key individuals to its numerous meetings. Those who accepted the invitations include: Hockey Quebec, Hockey Canada, Hockey Nunavut, New Zealand Maori Cultural Integration, Tara Leisha (Positive Youth Development expert) and many hockey personalities such as Maxime Lalande and John Chabot.
Natural evolution
“This new approach is a natural evolution of our hockey program,” said Jobie Tukkiapik. “It is also consistent with the findings of the evaluation we commissioned on the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program (NYHDP), which Makivvik is now managing. On that note, our organization wishes to thank Joé Juneau for the work he has done towards building a strong hockey base in Nunavik over the past decade. Mr. Juneau has allowed numerous young Inuit to experience rewarding moments in the past years. We are not turning our back on this period, but are simply moving forward into a new chapter of hockey in Nunavik, which can be described as “Made in Nunavik by Inuit for Inuit”.
Makivvik seeks to support the development and to focus on the best approaches for the organization of minor hockey in Nunavik, regarding the needs and social objectives. This new orientation has been developed by and for Inuit. For Makivvik, Hockey development remains a privileged way to engage youth and improve their abilities and pride. In order to maximise the outcome of the program and the funding behind it, the hockey component of the program will focus on encouraging many more children and youth to participate for longer periods of time.
The Committee is in the process of developing recommendations for its final report. Another meeting is scheduled in late November. The criteria taking into consideration are the following:
- Increased support at the community level, and capacity building
- Broad youth participation at the local level over a longer period of time
- Applying the model of Positive Youth Development
- Developing a regional structure to support the local level following Hockey Canada rules and providing a safe environment
- Creating a link with education and diminishing school absenteeism
- The integration of Inuit culture and language
- The involvement of parents
- Achieving unity among Nunavimmiut for the new structure
“Makivvik is here to support the development of a proper and sound structure of minor hockey in Nunavik, developed by and for Inuit, and played by many more children and youth,” concluded Jobie Tukkiapik.
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Contact:
William Tagoona
Communications Coordinator and Media Relations
Makivvik
Tel. 819-964-2925
wtagoona@makivik.org
www.makivik.org
Makivvik is the land claims organization mandated to manage the heritage funds of the Inuit of Nunavik provided for under the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement. Makivvik’s role includes the administration and investment of these funds and the promotion of economic growth by providing assistance for the creation of Inuit-operated businesses in Nunavik. Makivvik promotes the preservation of Inuit culture and language as well as the health, welfare, relief of poverty, and education of Inuit in the communities.