TakingITGlobal

7 "My name is Naulaq LeDrew, I am originally from Apex, Nunavut. I am a grandmother of ten, a mother of seven, a sister and a cousin. As a grandmother I have to mentor my grandkids to send them off in a positive way and for you all as young people I have to help show you what you need to learn. There is going to be obstacles in your journeys along the way, but you have to acknowledge those obstacles head on without fear—fear will set you back. I've been through a whole lot; I grew up in the traditional way and in the white man's way. My older siblings they were looking to find who they really were; they were disconnected from their culture. Me, I was living my culture and the white man's way at the same time so I was not disconnected. There was one time that I was giving up, but thanks to my father, he persuaded me to keep going. I only went up to grade ten because there was no financial stability in the home I was living in so Guidance From Our Elder I had to go find myself a job in order to keep the family going. Although I was making money, there was still something missing in me. I couldn't figure it out what it was. It was a missing sense of direction—I needed to find my own direction for where I was going. You all are going to find your own direction too, but let me tell you, you will have hard times going through that journey. You will also come upon younger youth who are very angry with themselves and with the world. All you can do for them is listen. Listen to them and what they are telling you in ways that isn't always words. Believe in yourself, even when you feel like no one is believing in you and have fun along the way. Love what you do, enjoy life with your heart and do the best that you can do." ‒ Naulaq LeDrew

• Cover