Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 22/05) - Inuvialuit youth developed their leadership skills and got a closer look at career opportunities associated with their regional corporation during a whitewater canoe trip last month.

Twelve youth between ages 14 and 18 - 10 from the six communities in the Inuvialuit region - took a trip along the Horton River, July 12-26.

"It was a trip to reward the kids for being positive leaders and to create future leaders for the Inuvialuit," said the Inuvialuit Development Corporation's Martin Landry, who helped organize the event.

After flying into Paulatuk, the group began the 345-kilometre journey at the Horton's Whaleman entrance and finished in Franklin Bay.

During stops along the way, the participants took care of cooking and cleaning, Landry said, while also going on day hikes where they saw wildlife such as muskox and caribou.

At the end of the trip, the group flew down and toured the operations of Weldco Beales in Edmonton, where they learned how to build cranes.

It is important for the youth to "understand the opportunities they have within these companies," upon finishing high school, Landry said.

They then spent an afternoon in Hay River at Northern Transportation Company Ltd. (NTCL), before heading home.

Welding experience

"They actually let the girls and some of the guys do some welding (at NTCL)," said Kristen Colton, an IDC administrative assistant who went along on the business tour.

IDC helped organize the trip, which was also sponsored by ATCO and the department of Municipal and Community Affairs.

NWT youth who went on the trip were Jerrita Rose-Thrasher, Emily Esau, Monica Jacobson, Aurora Bernadette Williams, Eric Kagyut, Kevin Gully, Trevor Okheena, Hebert Kowana, Gerald Noksana and Paul Rivard.

With no problems reported this year, Landry hopes to help organize a similar excursion next year.