TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON
Dakota Koe already knows exactly what he wants to do when he gets to Toronto this spring.

"I'm going to a Blue Jays' game," the Grade 11 student said. "They're my favourite baseball team."

Koe and 12 other students from Chief Julius School in Fort McPherson are travelling to the city as part of a YMCA of Greater Toronto youth travel exchange program, said teacher Sierra Daley.

The group is scheduled to arrive in Toronto on May 23 and will stay for five days.

While the schedule isn't officially determined, Daley said past trips with other groups have included visiting museums and the Hockey Hall of Fame, as well as day excursions to Niagara Falls.

Students will also experience daily life at North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

"They're going to be going to this high school with more than triple the number of students that we have at our school," Daley said. "Then just to be able to see what kind of classes and different things that they get to learn down there where they have more opportunities to have other courses because of the large numbers of students at their school."

Just the act of travelling to Toronto will be a new experience for many students, she added.

"It's a really good opportunity for our kids," she said.

For Grade 12 student Jordan Itsi, a trip to the big city means only one thing.

"Shopping," she said.

But before the group starts its journey, they must first host their guests from Toronto. Sixteen students from North Toronto Collegiate Institute are scheduled to arrive in Fort McPherson on April 4.

Though they haven't solidified plans just yet, Itsi said she wants the Toronto kids to learn about traditional culture in Fort McPherson.

"Cutting wood, setting tents, making fires and setting snares," she said.

Koe said he wants the Toronto students to get outside.

"I want them to go Ski-Dooing, taking them dog mushing," he said.

One of the plans will incorporate a trip to the school's camp, which is located about 10 km from Fort McPherson. There are three cabins at the location, one for cooking and two others for sleeping.

"We'll probably be spending some time out at our school camp with elders," Daley said.

Last October, Chief Julius School students partnered with local hunters for a caribou hunting trip. The school still has meat from the hunt, which Daley said will be shared with the students from Toronto.

"We'll be able to show them how to cut up meat and how to prepare meat and we're hoping that we can have a community feast while they're here so we can show them that part of the culture," she said.

The feast will be followed with an old time square dance, which will allow Fort McPherson children to show off their music and dancing skills.

"Just showing the kids that are coming up from Toronto what the kind of values and cultural ways that we still practice up here in Fort McPherson, and then how it's kind of meshing with new, modern things," Daley said.

In the meantime, students have been busy planning fundraisers for the exchange. The YMCA program pays for the airfare and travel costs for both schools but host schools are responsible for housing, food and activities, Daley said. Chief Julius School students are aiming to raise about $12,000.

So far, they've held a bake sale and a hot dog lunch and Valentine's Day raffles are currently being discussed, Daley said. In the meantime, students are getting excited about both their own trip and showing off their hometown.

"I'm excited to be going to different places and meeting people," Koe said.

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