Kirsten Larsen
Northern News Services

NNSL (Dec 02/98) - Language and culture barriers are being broken down by 10 young adults working their way through the every-day life experiences in Yellowknife.

For the past 10 weeks, 10 young adults from around Canada have been sharing a residence in Yellowknife and learning to live and converse with each other during their time off from volunteer work around the town.

Katimuvik exchange participants were wrapping up their last week in Yellowknife earlier this month and before they departed for their next destinations in Ottawa and Quebec, they wanted to share some of their experiences with students at Sir John Franklin school.

Although only two of the 10 exchange participants were bilingual before they attended the exchange, it was difficult to discern which were predominantly anglophone or francophone during their presentation to the Grade 12 students in the gym last Monday.

The group told the assembly that the exchange program can be accessed by anyone 17-21 years of age and of any level of bilingualism. The program not only promotes the learning exchange of French and English, but encourages participation of other languages to share their knowledge with others in the program.

Participants in the eight-month exchange are partnered with a group of 11 participants from various provinces and areas around Canada.

The group stay together during their rotation around to three destinations during the exchange, during which time they must live together and volunteer for the various organizations and work places the exchange arranges for them.

All activities, such as sports, touring attractions, watching movies and even preparing meals, involve an aspect of social-cultural exchange as well as individual development of language and living skills.

Although participants are not allowed to watch TV, they take in a few films in the languages they are learning.

"We don't have a TV because it's seen as a deterioration of group interaction and speaking," said Allan Brasseur of Barrie, Ontario.

"We aren't allowed to use a microwave either. We have to make everything from scratch, so we can't buy Kraft Dinner or anything like that."

The participants take turns preparing meals

for the group and all meals are eaten together, which promotes a family atmosphere while encouraging individuals to use their language skills.

One of the participants mentioned a cautionary tale about utensils being taken away from participants who chose to speak in their own language during meal time.

The group said the exchange program is "right on" and "totally fun" and they laugh a lot throughout the day.

The volunteer aspect of the program also serves to give them a look at the different job prospects and areas of study that could interest them after having the experience of working in the different volunteer placements.

"It's an alternative to going to school to find out the possibilities of what you want to do," said Derek Bernier of Lillooet, B.C. "The different jobs give you a good idea of what you want to do."

The qualification requirements to become an exchange participant aren't as stringent as many other exchange programs. Applicants have to be 17-21 years of age, a Canadian citizen and include a letter of reference along with a completed Katimavik application form consisting of five questions.

All travel and transportation is provided free of charge as well as living accommodations and food. The participants are given an allowance of $21 a week during the exchange and an honorarium of $1,000 after the completion of the program.

The honorarium doesn't necessarily have to go towards funding post-secondary education.