No longer mentored as hunters due to intergenerational trauma, at-risk youth often feel they cannot contribute and become valued community members sending them into a downward spiral. From Scrap to Art was awarded $100,000 to help young Northerners in Cambridge Bay forge intergenerational connections, develop practical and artistic skills, and confidently approach their futures with goals and a sense of identity. The project also strengthens community wellness and pride. Under the guidance of Inuit and Maori mentors, and northern educators, young Northerners are taught the skills of welding – transforming discarded metal into art. Working in a dedicated welding studio, youth are able to create art with recycled materials, developing a relationship with the land, their elders and a place in their community.
