Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (June 08/05) - A group of 15 students from Maani Ulujuk secondary school in Rankin Inlet left a piece of their hearts in Listuguj, Quebec, this past month.

The youth were in Listuguj as part of an exchange program which earlier saw students from Alaqsite'w Gitpu school visit Rankin.

MUI teachers Ken Beardsall and Lisa Kresky chaperoned the trip, which Beardsall terms an immense success.

He says the Grade 7 and 8 students had the experience of a lifetime at the Mi'kmaq reserve, and even kept up their homework during the entire trip.

"The students actually stayed in Cambellton, which is just across a bridge from Listuguj," says Beardsall.

"The journey included a number of firsts for many of our students, including revolving doors, trains and horseback riding."

Beardsall says the Rankin students were treated like royalty in Listuguj, receiving dozens of gifts from the band council and various organizations. He says the youth were even given fresh lobster and snow crab from the Listuguj fishermen.

"The students also received cultural instruction and learned some of the Mi'kmaq language.

"They took in tours of a sawmill, dairy farm, small canoe factory and a Rayon plant, where they discovered the fabric is made from trees.

"They also enjoyed a lot of things people in the South often take for granted, such as swimming, shopping, teen dances, the cinema and hiking through the forest to a beautiful waterfall."

Beardsall says the most important part of the exchange program was the friendships that were formed.

He says departure time from the Cambellton train station is a moment he will always remember.

"The Listuguj students ran beside the train waving and crying until it disappeared into the night.

"Inside the train there were few dry eyes, even the conductor was almost crying!

"There were some friendships formed that will, probably, last a very long time.

"With today's email and messenger technology, they're able to communicate back and forth all the ti

me."