Derek Neary
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jun 15/98) - Nigel Qaumariaq and Jessica Illaszewicz are hoping to foster in youth the same respect for nature that they have developed.

The two university students plan to bring eight Kitikmeot youth onto the land over the summer as part of their project, "Science, Tradition and Youth in the Kitikmeot."

Qaumariaq, a 19-year-old Environmental Sciences student at the University of Alberta, is originally from Iqaluit. He was a tour guide assistant for six years before coming to Cambridge Bay four years ago. He remembers frequently camping with his grandparents when he was a youngster.

"From that I've always had a respect for the land," he explained.

Their program, split into two three-week sessions to begin on July 15, will see the group go out on the land, in the Augustus Hills area, to take inventory of the plants and animals that they observe. They will be accompanied by a senior site manager and will have an elder present for one day to teach the youth the names of the plants and animals and to explain how things were done in the past.

The second week will entail environmental awareness through interaction with elders and environmental professionals in Cambridge Bay, such as the wildlife officer.

For the third week, each student will prepare presentations for their classmates to explain what they learned over the summer.

"It's going to be an environmental education-type program," said Qaumariaq, adding that the Nunavut Impact Review Board is the major source of funding.

It's hoped that this project will inspire the younger students to continue their education. Jessica, who attended high school in Cambridge Bay, said a significant number of students drop out before Christmas each year.

"It's really discouraging," she said.

Qaumariaq said he's also planning to do a study on musk-ox, particulary their grazing habits. He said the possibility of taking water samples from the DEW line site, where cleanup will get under way this summer, is also being considered.

"I've asked to tag along with them but they haven't gotten back to me so far," he said.

Qaumariaq and Illaszewicz have been working at the Environment Canada office in Yellowknife for the past three weeks to finalize their preparations.