Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 27/00) - The new youth representative on town council wants to make a difference.

"A lot of youth in this community, they complain and complain about stuff," Kristine McLeod said, "but they never do anything about it. One day I was just wondering, well, maybe I can do something about it."

McLeod is involved in several organizations.

The 17-year-old Grade 12 student at Samuel Hearne secondary school is president of the Nihtat Gwich'in Youth Council, youth rep for the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic, and is Mackenzie Delta youth rep for the Native Women's Youth Association of the Northwest Territories.

Earlier this year she was elected to the newly created position as her school's youth rep on town council. The term is for one year.

As youth rep on council, McLeod is expected to attend meetings and provide input from a youthful perspective.

"I'm not just representing myself. I'm representing all of the youth at my school, and not just the school, the community, too," McLeod said.

"It's not like we'll be able to change decisions or anything, but at least they'll have the youth opinion."

McLeod said her first priority is getting to know more about how council works.

Good experience

McLeod said being youth rep, and her involvement with the other groups, is a good learning experience.

"I want to go to university and be a lawyer. This is experience working with people and issues."

McLeod had a simple message for other people.

"Youths' opinions do matter and do count. There are people who are willing to listen, and they should make their opinions heard. They shouldn't be shy," McLeod said.

"Adults can't just assume they know everything and assume they know what we want. We have to tell them," she said.

"What we do now is going to reflect upon what's going to happen down the road."