Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Cambridge Bay (Apr 08/02) - Some lucky youths in the Kitikmeot region will get a crash course in geology this week.

The course is scheduled to begin today at Kullik Ilihakvik school and run for a week, ending with a MuchMusic dance, according to Sean Peterson, manager of Kitikmeot Employment and Training Partners.

Four Grade 6 students from Cambridge Bay and three students from the four other communities will meet here for the course.

The classes are funded by the Kitikmeot Economic Developing Commission and run by Mining Matters, a curriculum developer based in Toronto. The company is sending up two instructors to teach the course.

Peterson said the company develops curricula for Ontario schools.

"This is a special course because they offer curriculum but don't necessarily teach it," said Peterson.

The course will focus on explaining the mining process and teaching basic geology.

Courses like this are important for the Kitikmeot because of impending mining development in the region, said Peterson.

"Resource development is going to be important in the future," he said. "We want to get youth interested in mining."

Kitikmeot Employment and Training Partners made the initial contact with Mining Matters two years ago. Last December it began the process of developing a geology course in the region.

The mandate of the organization is to stimulate training and employment for Kitikmeot residents.

"We are taking people no one would touch," said Peterson.

"They don't have education or employment backgrounds. They are down on their luck and we wanted to give a great opportunity."

Peterson said KETP has successfully helped 60 people through training programs out of 66 hopeful students -- and two of those dropped out because of personal tragedies.

The not-for-profit organization relies on 33 corporate partners, including airlines and mining companies.