Yellowknife (July 28/03) - A 26-year-old law student from Rae-Edzo has become the first NWT aboriginal ever to land an internship at the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C.

Giselle Marion, a second year law student at the University of British Columbia, has been working in the Environment and Fisheries section at the Canadian embassy since May.

While other students lounge in the hot summer sun, Marion has been drafting congressional summary reports and researching policy trends just a block away from the White House.

She learned of the internship program on the Internet and decided it would be a great opportunity to gain valuable, practical experience in international government affairs.

"I thought it would be a great break from your traditional government jobs that are offered in the Northwest Territories," she said.

Marion worked with the Justice department in Yellowknife last year, reviewing legislation and drafting proposals for legislative changes.

She is proud to be the first NWT aboriginal to work at the embassy, and regrets that other aboriginal students are not as fortunate.

"It's kind of sad in a way because there is not a lot of opportunity. Funding-wise, it's really hard," she said.

Marion is not being paid for her work at the embassy. She is being sponsored by the Dogrib Nation. Altogether, the trip cost approximately $7,000 U.S.

Over the past few months she has met interesting people from across the world, and caught a glimpse of famous faces.

"I was able to see Senator (Ted) Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Mrs. (Bob) Dole ... and we toured Capital Hill, I saw Ralph Klein when he was here, and so far that's about it.

"It's kind of nice to be in the thick of it," she said.

The only thing she's not crazy about is Washington's intense heat.

"It's so hot here. It's very humid ... (air conditioning) is my salvation right now," she said.

After completing her law degree, Marion hopes to apply for the Youth International Internship program through the Native Law Centre at the University of Saskatchewan.

"My hope is to return home to my community and heighten the awareness of options and strategies for development, from our appreciation of our strengths and opportunities of the Dogrib people," she said.