Iqaluit principal brings taekwondo workshop to city

The principal of the middle school in Iqaluit says his partnership with taekwondoteachers in Ottawa has brought a free workshop to the city on Saturday.

Senior Grand Master Lu and MasterSeely, from Lu'sTaekwon-Doin Ottawa, are giving a free self-defence course for women today.

Don Peters,the principal at Aqsarniit Middle School, first got in touch with Lu's Taekwon-Do when he brought courses and workshops to the school for his students.

"Just to try to involve the children and giving them some reasons to come to school and make connections with some of our at-risk kids, so that's where we started andhaven'tlooked back," Peters said.

He says he wanted to offersomething tothe students, who sometimes struggle to find something to do.

"Taekwondo is certainly a big player at what's happening after school and noon hours," Peters said.

Peters says the taekwondoclasses at the school have played a part in increasing class attendance rates, raising them from 65 per cent to 87 per cent.

Today's workshop for women is from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. in Aqsarniit Middle School's gym.

Doors open at 9:30 a.m. to sign up.

Peters says no experience is required and it's free of charge.