Gjoa Haven (May 10/04) - Celida Gee, 15, of Gjoa Haven has a new appreciation for the great Canadian accent after a recent trip to Morley, Alta. with 11 of her schoolmates from Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik.

"They say 'eh' a lot," the Grade 10 student said, laughing while speaking of the Albertans she met. "They talk really different. It's like another language."

The exchange is part of a YMCA program meant to educate students aged 14-17 about other cultures.

Bruce Ameralik, 17, a Grade 11 student at Qiqirtaq Ilihakvik, liked going snowboarding at Banff National Park during the week-long stay in mid-April.

"I fell down a lot," said Ameralik. "But it was fun."

The program was organized by Gjoa Haven teacher Lee Bird, along with Eli Hiqiniq and Jonathan Bird through the YMCA.

Now the nine Morley students paired with 12 Gjoa Haven students are about to head up North May 12-18 to complete the exchange.

"I'm excited about it," said Gee, who gets along well with the female student in Morley she was paired with.

While in the south, people asked the Gjoa Haven students about the climate in the North, and if people ride around on dog sleds and still live in iglus.

Ameralik didn't mind the questions. When asked how cold it is up here, he replied: "It's starting to warm up."

Gee liked going horse back riding, shopping, and snowboarding in Banff, an activity that brought her to her knees in the snow many times.

But it was still a hoot, she said.

"I liked it," said Gee. "It's beautiful there."