Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 24/99) - How does an 18-year-old girl from Pangnirtung get to see British Columbia, Ontario and New Brunswick in less than a year?

The answer is by joining Katimavik, a national volunteer program for youth 17-21-years-old.

"It was such a great experience. I learned about other cultures, speaking French, business, patience and tolerance," Delia Young said.

Young spent nine months with a group of 10 Katimavik youth. They stayed for three months at a time in three different locations: Courtney, B.C., Ancaster, Ont., and Kedgwick, N.B.

The program provides accommodation, food and a small allowance. In return, each youth must volunteer 40 hours of service a week. Young worked in a historical museum, a family resource centre, and with mentally disabled adults during her nine months.

"I learned so much about myself. I learned I had courage and peace of mind in me, and that I could be a leader," Young said.

"I never knew I had those qualities before. When I see things now I see them differently. I appreciate them more."

Young returned to her Pangnirtung home on April 28, and is currently working at the town's Northern Store. She's quick to urge any youth interested in adventure to look up Katimavik.

"I'd recommend it to anybody," Young said.

Fort Good Hope resident Melinda Grandjambe is currently in Victoria, B.C. with Katimavik, on the last leg of her nine-month journey. She also spent time in Oxbury, Ont. and Riviere Oulle, Que.

"This program really blows my mind," she said, still sleepy from being woken up by the phone.

"I've met so many people and it's helped me grow so much mentally. I'm more independent."

Katimavik youth travel with the same group of 10 for the entire nine months and live in the same house together in each community.

While volunteering, she spent time in a day care, a fire station and a retirement home. The whole experience has made Grandjambe realize there's a lot to see in the world, and not much time to do it in.

"All I know right now is that I really want to travel, so next year I'll be going to Australia to work," she said.

"After that, I want to travel the world -- I realize now how important it is to take the time to see things."

Katimavik communications officer Christine Rocheleau said the federally-funded program is open to all youth ages 17-21. Names are entered into a draw and a cross-section of Canadians are chosen from all regions.

For next season's placements, there are draws taking place on June 1 and July 1.

"Our goal is to touch as many youth as we can across the country in all sorts of communities," Rocheleau said.

"We try and represent the diversity of our country, and give youth the opportunity to experience life and the scope of possibilities that exist out there for them."