Men’s group in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., meets weekly at sod house to share stories
First meeting in July saw 4 people show up — last week saw 24
A growing group of men is meeting every week in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., to share their stories, listen and support each other. It’s an initiative started earlier this summer by the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation.
Organizers said the Wednesday gatherings at the sod house in Tuktoyaktuk sometimes see as many as 25 people.
Darrel Nasogaluak is the chair of the community corporation. He said the corporation made a deal with the hamlet office to use the sod house for programming.
The sod house is a re-creation of the traditional Inuvialuit dwellings that were made all across the Beaufort Delta region. The buildings were made of driftwood logs, or even whale bones as a frame, with tightly packed sod bricks all around for warmth.
Nasogaluak said the original sod house in Tuktoyaktuk was made for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1970 visit to the hamlet. A newer sod house sits next to the older model.
“This one was built about ten years ago. I think it was a great idea to make a new one next to one, to show what it looks like deteriorating on the coast,” said Nasogaluak.
He says the organizers of the men’s sharing group are listening and finding direction from the attendees.
The first meeting in July had four men show up. Last week’s gathering saw 24 people show up to be a part of it.
“So it was an unexpected, very fast growth. And we’re kind of getting everybody used to gathering and opening and sharing what they see is a need for men in our community,” said Nasogaluak.
Steve Cockney Sr. is from Tuktoyaktuk and now lives in Inuvik. He was asked to bring northern games to the group in Tuk.
He said it was surprising and reassuring to hear other men share their experiences
“It’s really interesting to see that the men can talk about stuff that they had kept in themselves for a long time. When we do get together, things do come out from what they’re thinking and what they kept to themselves,” said Cockney.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: $1-million for Indigenous men’s mental health in Manitoba, Canada, Eye on the Arctic
United States: Legislation would better support family violence survivors, say Alaska advocacy groups, Eye on the Arctic
