SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Four Yellowknife students will have the chance to mingle with senior key government managers in Ottawa this week as part of an aboriginal youth leaders and international career perspectives workshop.

From left, Donovan Erutse, Arwyn Palongayak-Landry, Nicole Lawson and Caitlin Yakabuski are the four students from Sir John Franklin School who were heading to Ottawa for an aboriginal youth leaders and international career perspectives workshop on Monday, Feb. 21. - Katherine Hudson/NNSL photo

The four aboriginal students in Grades 11 and 12 from Sir John Franklin School were attending the two-day event put on by the federal Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT).

The initiative is meant to help students and student counsellors learn more about the range of career opportunities with DFAIT in Ottawa, in regional offices across Canada and around the world.

"We're looking forward to meeting them. Aboriginal employees are not represented as much as we would like to have at Foreign Affairs; especially we would like to increase that," said Marie-Helene Lafond, co-ordinator of the event.

Grade 11 student Caitlin Yakabuski still has a bit of time to decide what she wants to do after high school but said she thinks having this opportunity to check out the scene in Ottawa will make for a worthwhile experience.

"I am maybe thinking about government work. I'm still confused about what I want to do but this will give me options about what I can do," she said.

The four students, who will accompany an additional six from Nunavik, Nunavut and the Yukon, were chosen based on how they participate in school activities, their general attitude and their academic standing.

Doreen Cleary, a counsellor at Sir John Franklin, will be accompanying the students to Ottawa.

"I'm quite excited because it's about jobs for aboriginal youth. As for myself, I get to learn more about the careers that are offered and available for aboriginal youth with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Canada," she said.

Superintendent for Yellowknife Education District 1 Metro Huculak said it's a worthwhile opportunity for the students.

"Basically what the government is looking at is leadership opportunities for aboriginal students and to get involved in Canadian government not only in Canada but abroad as well. It's a wonderful opportunity for these kids," he said.

"They could be leaders coming back here and working with other aboriginal kids."

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