Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (Mar 01/02) - Tiffany Pedersen won't soon forget the decor at Parliament House.

"It was just beautiful in there, like gold trimming and stained-glass ceilings and everything," she recalled. "And meeting everyone from all over Canada was fun."

She and fellow Grade 12 student Rebecca Jumbo spent Feb. 16-22 at the Encounters with Youth conference in Ottawa with more than 130 other Canadian students.

They also witnessed question period in the House of Commons, celebrated the Queen's golden jubilee (50th anniversary), saw some amazing ice sculptures and listened to a presentation from RCMP Commissioner Guiliano Zaccardelli.

Pedersen and Jumbo said they learned how the RCMP are involved with the country's youth, its communities and the provinces. "We realized there are many career opportunities in the RCMP," Jumbo said, as she and Pedersen listed forensics, the Musical Ride and murder investigations as examples.

They already have other career paths in mind, however. Jumbo plans to pursue business administration and hopes to work with aboriginal people. Pederson is aiming to become a systems technologist, working with computers.

Fort Simpson RCMP Sgt. Bill Eubank and Thomas Simpson school counsellor Norm McNaught selected Pedersen as the candidate who would have her trip sponsored by the RCMP. Jumbo, who also wanted to attend, raised funds with help from the Sambaa K'e Dene band, the District Education Authority, Thomas Simpson school and Brenda Nirlungayuk.

This year was the conference's 20th anniversary.

"It's a chance to sit and chat and discuss issues and problems, and see the big city," said Eubank. RCMP members are selected to act as mentors during the event, he said.

The two students certainly appreciated the excursion.

"It was a memorable experience for me, the House of Parliament, the Musical Ride and meeting other people," Jumbo said.