by Nancy Gardiner
Northern News Services

NNSL (Aug 27/97) - They call it NeXplore, and it's giving kids ideas -- ideas about careers and jobs in the mining industry.

On Friday afternoon, five youth were recognized in Yellowknife for their work this summer with the program, which is run by the NWT Community Mobilization Partnership.

The students represent different communities. They are: Ty Cook of Hay River; Ian Kaotalok, Cambridge Bay; Joel Campbell of Yellowknife; Kim Coleman of Hay River and Barbara Panioyak of Kugluktuk.

"We've been chosen to study the mining industry," says Ty Cook, who has travelled to many mine exploration camps. They were chosen by each of their communities to participate.

Cook has been to BHP's Koala Camp, Boston Camp, Windy Camp, Miramar's Con mine and Wolverine Camp.

"I took this as a summer project, but since I got into the industry, I definitely want to become a geologist," says Cook.

NeXplore youth have travelled to a lot of communities, including Taloyoak, and to Rae-Edzo and Snare Lake to attend information sessions.

It's a summer project to show youth the opportunities in the mining sector.

Kim Coleman of Hay River developed a web site for the project.

"The purpose of the web site is to change attitudes. It's not just pick and shovel. There's administration, accounting and making people aware of the job opportunities," says Coleman. "And the program itself is to create awareness."

Coleman, 17, says her summer position with NeXplore has her interested in a management position in mining in the future.

"I may be interested on the administration side -- not geology work. No way. It doesn't interest me."

The Hay River student plans to return to her community to complete Grade 12, then hopefully carry on to study business management at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology.

NeXplore gives youth a feeling for the job creation program put on by the NWT Community Mobilization partnership.

The initiatives they have undertaken include research, creating a database and web site and social event planning to name a few.

The next project will be in Inuvik, says Barb Brown, a spokesperson for NWT community mobilization partnership.