IQALUIT - At almost every community event in Iqaluit for the past two months, they could be seen in their emerald green T-shirts volunteering and pitching in where they could.

Katimavik volunteers, on the left, serve food at a community feast held as part of the Nunavut Women's Summit in Iqaluit in September. - photo courtesy of Kai Nestman

This hard-working group of eight young people participated in Katimavik's North-South pilot program this September and October.

"It has been a new experience for me, I've meet new people, gotten to travel and experienced different cultures," said participant Walter Noah from Baker Lake.

The program, designed to engage youth in volunteer service while fostering sustainable communities, has existed in Iqaluit for the last several years. This time around there was a twist as four of the youth were from Alberta and four were from Nunavut.

Focusing on cultural discovery and civic engagement, project leader Kai Nestman said the goal of the pilot project was to get more Northern youth involved in the program.

"Our retention rate with youth is very low," he said.

The youths, between the ages of 18 to 22, volunteered at daycares, pre-schools, the Iqaluit Humane Society and at the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, among other places.

For Iglulik's Jenna Amarualik, the opportunity to participate in the program meant not only a chance to share her own culture with others but also a chance to try new things.

"I have learned so much," she said.

Amarualik has been volunteering at the humane society -- feeding, walking and taking care of dogs.

Marie Nimiqtaqtuq of Gjoa Haven spent her time working with children, mostly in English, playing games, singing and dancing.

What is also unique about this program, Nestman said, is that each southerner has been paired with a Northerner. They also volunteer at the same community placement.

"They do activities together and they get to share each other's cultures and traditions," he said.

Amy Keith from Calgary is paired with Taloyoak's Sarah Uquqtuq. Keith could not praise Uquqtuq enough for being an excellent host.

This willingness to learn and share her culture is why Uquqtuq said she wanted to participate.

"I feel good because I have been able to teach others about Inuit culture, language, throatsinging and stories," she said.

The group had a chance to take in many events, met the premier and the commissioner, learned some basic Inuktitut and how to make sealskin slippers and went camping.

On Oct. 27 they left for Edmonton, where they will begin the second portion of the program, volunteering with community partners there.

Before leaving Iqaluit, Nimiqtaqtuq admitted she was a little afraid of heading to the "big" city, but said she was looking forward to it nonetheless.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.