Yellowknife (June 06/03) - NWT trade students blew the rest of Canada out of the water last week.

The representatives of the Skills Canada NWT team took part in the ninth annual Canadian Skills Competition in Waterloo, Ont. from May 29-June 1, and they have reason to brag.

They were showcasing Northern talents in everything from culinary arts to electrical wiring. The result was an unprecedented five medal wins for the team.

Combined with the Nunavut team results, that makes for seven medals for the territories at the competition, including a gold for Iqaluit resident Isabel MacDougall in worksite safety.

Silver medallists were Reg Evans of Fort Smith for heavy equipment mechanics, Richard Walsh of Yellowknife for graphic design, and Mara Smith of Yellowknife for Worksite Safety. Amanda Johns of Inuvik, and Mandy Lyons of Yellowknife brought home the bronze for job interview, and prepared speech.

Not only did they reap positions, Team NWT/ Nunavut also brought home the Spirit Award for yelling and cheering.

The youngest team ever to represent the territories, they had plenty to cheer about.