Eight students in the second-year program have the opportunity to attend a climate change conference in Murmansk, Russia, next month, but finances are short by about $15,000.

Instructor Erica Kotter said the group of mostly Inuvialuit and Gwich'in beneficiaries has managed to round up $30,000, thanks to the Association of Canadian Communities and Colleges. But they still need to come up with more funds fast as the conference date of Feb. 16 is rapidly approaching.

"We have sent out other applications for funding but we're looking for any other support that organizations within Inuvik or elsewhere can provide," said Kotter.

The students would like to present their findings of a research project on environmental impacts as a result of climate change throughout the western Arctic. The data was compiled from interviews with elders from their home communities.

Kotter said the conference would greatly benefit the soon-to-be graduates, to help them better understand the international effects of industrialization and better prepare them for future career opportunities.

Inuvialuit student John Lucas said he's hoping to learn more about the Sami culture in Northern Russia and Finland as a result of the trip.

"We've been doing some research about how they operate their reindeer co-operative.

"Reindeer is their main base of economy there and I would like to make a comparison with the reindeer here," he said.

The Sami culture sustain themselves almost entirely off reindeer. Lucas said he will study whether it would be viable to commercially harvesting reindeer in the Mackenzie-Delta as well.

Gwich'in student Forrest Kendi, who was employed with Parks Canada last summer, hopes to learn how climate change is effecting other Northern region.

"So when I go on the trip I can see how climate change is effecting other countries North of 60 and see how their habitats are changing, how they are adapting to the change and see what we could do to work together," he said.