For over 13 years I’ve had the distinct pleasure of mentoring Inuit as part of the Government of Nunavut’s Initiative Program. As a CESO (now Catalyste+) volunteer advisor, I traveled to and worked with mentees employed in various government departments including finance, health and social services, justice, and the Baffin Island regional hospital.

Not only did I share my knowledge and insight, I learned from my mentees. They let me ‘walk in their shoes’, including understanding the love of land, family structure, way of life, challenges transitioning to a new way of life, to name a few. 

Mentoring and its importance is captured in the following parable:

A Nunavut Mentorship Parable:

For some, life challenges us to undertake new journeys at important times in our lives. The bigger the journey, the more carefully we must prepare.

We should speak to those who have journeyed far themselves – to learn from their experiences, their trials and their triumphs. We thirst for the knowledge and power that they used to complete their journey.

They show us their personal tools and techniques and how those can be used in the special and simple ways demanded by our journey.

They describe the map of the land and sea, its challenges and wonderful opportunities, far different from our home. They tell of the landmarks, the inuksuit, that unlock the secrets of the land for those who know their purpose and how to recognize them.

They speak of dangers that will occur and those to be avoided, not by individual strength, but by observation, calm, patience, and steady determination.

They describe the gifts of the land and sea and air that nourish those who know nature’s wealth, its ways, and its seasons.

They assure us that those who hunt and journey for their families and friends seem to be provided with what they require to successfully complete their journey.

If we show respect and pay close attention, some may describe their own spirit journeys, and show how all of life’s challenges are met first in the mind and in the heart. They will inspire us with their example, so that we might journey further and faster than those before us.

We set out on our journey, not alone, but with the wisdom of many before us who also dared to set goals, risk and venture forth.

I have found the above parable inspirational and a guide in what I do.