Inuvik (Oct 24/03) - A group of Inuvik students just returned from a trip to the bright lights of the big city where they learned all about big schools and brighter futures.

The Dream Catchers Conference is an annual event for aboriginal youth to come together to celebrate their cultures and share hopes and dreams.

Northern Studies teacher Denise Kruszewski said the idea to go to the conference came from some work the class was doing in self-development and self-improvement.

Once they decided they wanted to go, the youths set about raising $20,000 for the trip.

"They worked with their parents and had some contributions, but they managed to raise the money in only a month," Kruszewski said. "We still have two up-coming bingos, but we still managed to do it."

The conference featured drummers and dancers from all over Canada and throat singers from Nunavut.

With this year's focus on education, the students travelled to an open house at the Northern Alberta Institute for Technology, the University of Alberta and the Amiskwaciy Academy, an all-aboriginal school.

"They have a large cultural component, but they are really focused on academic excellence," Kruszewski said, of the academy.

She added that the students were very respectful of the visitors and the school property. "The students noticed that there wasn't a speck of dust or garbage anywhere."

"There is no vandalism at the school, no trash and very few fights," said student Dwayne Drescher. "It's a very inspiring place to be in."

This was Drescher's first time to the conference and he said he was very impressed with the opening ceremony.

"I thought it was wicked. There were so many aboriginal people there and so much to do," he said.

Drescher hopes to study business and finance management after he graduates.

Fifteen-year-old Jason Baxter had a great time at the conference.

"It was amazing and it was so interesting," Baxter said.

"Just seeing all the aboriginal people and the pow wow was awesome."

After touring the schools, Baxter figures he'd most likely attend the University of Alberta, where he'd like to study veterinary medicine.

This trip was also a first for Katherine Lennie, who took in the Youth and Gambling workshop.

"They talked about reasons why youth get into gambling and how it is so hard to quit once you start," Lennie said.

She wants to study marine biology at the University of Victoria after graduation.

The students visited West Edmonton Mall for some shopping and fun on the rides, while others took in an Oilers' hockey game in their spare time.