We present : The Salluit Tree project

Today via the Internet magic and the instant mailing an Inuk* asked me "how the Salluit Tree is doing?"

The tree he talked about is a mapple tree from Quebec. You couldn't tell from the picture as it is a young one but it already's got a past :

A group of teenager coming from Nunavik (in the arctic area of Quebec) has planted the tree in the IRFFE's parc. Their village dwells 1400 inhabitants and lands in the most northen part. Unfortunately from its position, Salluit is one of the first village stroke by the global warming as in 2003 an unuasal thaw damaged severely the site with several landslides.

These Inuit teenagers came in Amiens as part of a program which aims fighting against the general lack of interest in studying in their community. One of its step is to teach them french and more concretely a journey in France which has been possible via the IRFFE's commitment. The school asked its students (head teacher and specialist teacher) for help as to anybody of good will and they welcome the Inuit group together. The youngsters took benefit of such an organisation which lead them to the Eiffel tower, leisure time on the seaside where for the first time they swam into the sea.
For the environmental weeks of the county in Montigny-sur-l'Hallue, our friends caused a stir. It is with a generous sun that they enjoyed this village celebration and socialized with the inhabitants, made some friends. They even rode donkeys !
A stop to the picard tavern "Chez Marius" * was a true delight as the staff worked hard to make it unforgetable. "Chez Marius" is opened every saturday where disabled people from the ESAT (Assistance through Work Department) work and aims to give visitors a another view over differences.
Then they practiced traditional games which erased the last remaining boundaries.
(.....)

At last but not least, the teenagers introduced their customs to different schools and the IRFFE, through a kamik workshop (small boots made of seal's leather). At this point they were so willing of exchange that we learnt a lot about themselves and the way they live.
their visit has been also an opportunity for a lecture about global warming in our school.

From a long time of great interest for the inuk cause, the lecturer Jean Mallaurie* hosted our friends in its Artic Survey Centre (Paris) where they talked about their future, the important issue of keeping their traditions alive and to be able at the same time to study. Studies which will make them the leaders of tomorrow in their community. But a problem has been mentioned as there is a lack of structure in their county. It means they have to move far away to get the opportunity of being part of university. Lets bear in mind that Montreal is 2500Km from their hometown and that their education is also far from our invidualistic society.

go back to our Tree. Aïda, Putulik, Vilisie, Isabelle, Pita, Lydia, Mark, Rhoda, Charly, Shannen, Sarah, Emalla, Sala and Joanassi planted a mapple tree in Amiens while before travelling they never see any tree.
So by this symbolic act these young Inuit leave us mature memories on their path.

This Salluit Tree spread its roots and the Inuit adventure is not over as a Amienois students group are planning to go to Salluit next automn.

Carine

if you want to know more visit our blog : http://verssalluit.blogspot.com/

* one Inuk, two Inuit
*http://www.cat-gezaincourt.org/mariusweb/index.html (fr)
* Jean Mallaurie :
http://www.transpolair.com/sciences/cea/j_malaurie.htm  (fr)
* IRFFE : Regional Training Institution for Educative Duties (Amiens, france)