Inuvik fair raises awareness about healthy living, wellness

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority hosted its third annual Healthy Living Fair in Inuvik March 12.

Fair organizer Crystal Navratil said the fair aims to raise awareness around healthy living and the health services that exist in the community.

"We want the community to come and learn about the different organizations that offer programs around healthy families, healthy living, nutrition and exercise," said Navratil.

Many community organizations, such as the Arctic Family Centre, the Inuvik Native Band and public health, hosted booths at the fair to educate the public about the services they offer.

There was also an aromatherapy workshop, a traditional Gwich'in medicine class and yoga on offer.

A seven-on-seven elders curling tournament was held in the afternoon.

"The curling is without ice and there are sticks, so even if an elder is in a wheelchair or walker, they can still participate," said Navratil. "They love it!"

Navratil said health issues in the northern territories almost always occur at a higher rate than the national average.

"With just about any health issue you can come up with, the territories tend to have higher occurrence rates than the rest of Canada," said Navratil. "We want to educate people about the risks they're facing and what's available in their community to prevent health issues and also what's available to them to deal with them."

Navratil said she thinks that these health issues are in part an effect of colonization, and the fair tries to take a holistic approach to wellness, whether it is through on-the-land wellness resources or physical and mental healthcare available in town.

Ruth Goose, a student and family support worker at the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, hosted a booth at the fair to educate the public about Inuvialuit history.

"I always say it's very important to know where you come from in order to get where you're going," said Goose. "I think it's important for Inuvialuit to understand their roots, understand exactly where they come from, and to see what our elders had compared to what we have and all the changes that have gone along with that."

She says one reason organizations in the Inuvik community emphasize wellness is to raise awareness.

"More people are aware of the healthy choices that they need to make," she said. "It's all good, it's all positive, that's what we're trying to instill in the community, that we're all trying to bring good, healthy stuff to the community."

She said the community is working collaboratively in various ways to make Inuvik happier and healthier. One example of this is the way the IRC's hockey tournament evolved this year. In the past, there was a dance during the IRC Cup with a bar. This year, that event was replaced.

"In promoting wellness, they didn't have that dance, but they went ahead and had an old time dance," said Goose. "Which I think is a step in the right direction."