Kirsten Murphy
Northern News Services

Okotoks, Alberta (Oct 29/01) - For the all the doors opening for Katimavik participant Peter Tatatuapik, one remains out of reach -- his front door in Arctic Bay.

"I'm a little homesick," the 18-year-old said.

Tatatuapik is one of 12 youths south of 60 sharing dental floss and stories for the next seven months. The exciting opportunity is a crash course in languages, social development, politics, career-planning and travel for youth from across Canada.

Now the only Inuktitut-speaking teen among the group, Tatatuapik said he expects that will change with the arrival of a young man from Baker Lake this month.

"It's not really a big deal," he said.

Katimavik's goal is to foster personal development for Canadian youth through volunteer work, training and group interaction.

With Tatatuapik, the first 10-week placement is in Okotoks, Alta., a 20-minute drive from Calgary. The next stop is Quebec for another 10 weeks of volunteer placements. The project wraps up in New Brunswick in April 2002.

Wherever they go, the story is the same. Participants work for non-profit groups like schools, health units and libraries during the day. By building bridges with communities, participants develop professional skills and their own areas of interest.

Tatatuapik is working with students who have developmental delays. His job is to help with classroom lessons.

"It's OK, a little bit boring, but I didn't pick it," he said.

"What do wish I had from home? My girlfriend, Sheeba. And a television. I miss watching the Simpsons," Tatatuapik said, at times raising his voice over the drones of background conversations.

When the program concludes next year, Tatatuapik hopes to return to Grade 11 in Arctic Bay.

"Maybe I'll go back to school, maybe I'll work."