Rankin Inlet (May 17/06) - Rankin Inlet students Rhoda Bruce and Angelisa Naukatsik are bubbling with excitement these days.

Bruce and Naukatsik, who attend the Grade 7 and 9 student assisted programs at Maani Ulujuk (MUI), have been accepted into the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with Disabilities Youth Exchange program in Ottawa, Ont., from June 27 to July 3.

Student Rhoda Bruce, Maani Ulujuk High principal Jesse Payne, student support assistant Brenda Angoshadluk, student Angelisa Naukatsik and teachers Wendy Rutledge and Harold Peach, from left, of Rankin Inlet are all smiles after learning Bruce and Naukatsik were accepted into the Active Living Alliance for Canadians with Disabilities Youth Exchange program from June 27 to July 3 in Ottawa, Ontario. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Student support assistant Brenda Angoshadluk will accompany the two girls.

Bruce had applied for the 2005 program, but her application was received after the deadline had passed.

"They actually phoned us this year to see if Rhoda was still interested because they didn't have anyone from Nunavut apply," Angoshadluk said.

"We ended up having both of them accepted and they couldn't be happier.

"I can't wait to see them experience some of what Canada has to offer."

The program is partially funded by Heritage Canada, and co-hosted by Pfizer Canada Inc. and the YMCA Youth Exchanges.

Participants will get to meet new people, share stories, try activities such as rock climbing and tubing and experience Canada Day celebrations and fireworks.

Staff at MUI will be supplying the girls with official school apparel, as well as a number of souvenirs to trade with the 50 youth from across Canada attending the event.

This will be the first vacation for the two girls.

Naukatsik's hoping to finally get the chance to play Canada's favourite sport.

"I really hope I get to play sledge hockey because I've never been able to play hockey before," Naukatsik said.

"I'm also looking forward to meeting new people and going swimming."

The girls are taught at MUI by Mark Ronald, Wendy Rutledge and Harold Peach.

Rutledge said the trip is a great opportunity for the girls to see there's a great big world outside of Rankin Inlet.

"Hopefully, both girls will meet new friends who share some of their interests," Rutledge said.

"But the biggest benefit of the trip is for them to have a chance to try a number of activities that simply aren't available in Rankin."

While Bruce is known as a person of few words, she's obviously excited about the upcoming trip.

She changes the date on a calender in her classroom every morning to move a step closer to her adventure.

"I'm looking forward to visiting Ottawa and meeting other boys and girls from across Canada," Bruce said.