Fort Providence (May 19/06) - There's a lot more to being a member of the legislative assembly, as Rance Larson found out.

Larson, 14, a student at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence, participated in the seventh annual Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly from May 1-5 in Yellowknife.

Rance Larson, right, stands with Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod, who he represented in the Youth Parliament in Yellowknife. - photo courtesy of Michael McLeod

He was one of the 19 students from across the NWT who represented their ridings as MLAs. They did everything from attend cabinet meetings to speaking in front of their peers inside the assembly.

Before going to Youth Parliament, Larson said he didn't know much about the role of MLAs. The program gave him a better understanding of the legislative assembly, he said.

In his minister's statement, Larson spoke about laws for wearing helmets and how they are a good idea.

Students arrived on April 30 and May 1 and were put straight to work.

But organizers made sure to plan some fun events to help students get to know each other better.

"The students went swimming or bowling in the afternoons," said Julia Heyland, public affairs and communications advisor for the legislative assembly.

On the first day, students found out what their jobs were and had help constructing an address on a real-life issue, which they presented to the assembly on Thursday afternoon.

"I think it's a really good exercise to expose the youth in the communities to how the legislative assembly really works," Deh Cho MLA Michael McLeod said.

McLeod said a lot of youth don't know what's involved in the position, so it's beneficial that they find out what it takes to research and write a member's statement and debate in public.

Larson said he doesn't think being an MLA will be part of his future plans.

"Too much paperwork," Larson said.