Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

RANKIN INLET (July 07/99) - The Nunavut Youth Abroad Program (NYAP) received a much needed financial boost this past month when Nunavut Youth Minister Donald Havioyak announced a $50,000 contribution to the project.

Havioyak presented the cheque to NYAP steering committee chairperson Chris DaSilva and international phase participant Abbygail Noah during a ceremony in Baker Lake.

The NYAP is an innovative program which helps prepare Nunavut youth for leadership roles in the new territory by giving them national and international experience through volunteer work, cross-cultural exchange and travel.

The program was in financial difficulty before the announcement and DaSilva says the Nunavut government showed good future vision in funding the project.

"We were very close to shelving the program and that would have, effectively, killed it because it's designed as a two-step program," says DaSilva. "If we'd been unable to place participants on the Canadian phase this summer, there would have been no candidates for the international phase next year.

"We owe thanks to the Nunavut government. It's demonstrated an understanding of this program and how it will contribute to the development of strong leaders with an international point of view."

DaSilva says he hopes the Nunavut government will continue to be a funding partner, so the program can continue in perpetuity, and seems willing to look at the program again next year.

"We want to present them with a solid evaluation, from both last year and this year, to demonstrate the program is having an impact on young people. If we can do that, I think the Nunavut government will come through and continue to fund us."

The new funding ensures the Canadian phase will be delivered this summer, with 10 youth from across Nunavut living and working in pairs in five southern communities. Haviolak said Nunavut's participation in the program is a fine example of how the government's contribution can leverage additional funding from outside the territory.

"Our support encourages volunteer participation by the people of Nunavut to create cost effective and meaningful programs for Nunavut youth," says Haviolak. "Nunavut youth need a program such as the NYAP, which is carefully designed to meet the particular needs of young people from isolated Northern communities.

"This is an exciting and unique program that we, in the government of Nunavut, are proud to support."

DaSilva says while Nunavut's contribution is extremely important, the private sector must also get involved in the program's future is to be secure.

"Canadian North has come onboard to support us with discounted air fares and we're very happy about that because we know we can't just rely on government," says DaSilva.

"Northern companies also have to see the value in investing in our youth and Canadian North is the first to do that."