Cambridge Bay (May 01/06) - Her full name is Jerilyn Maria Kakakpak Kaniak, but Kakak will do nicely, thank you very much.

"I was named for my late Auntie," she said. "My dad always tells me I remind him of her."

Family is very important to this 18-year-old resident of Cambridge Bay; and learning all she can about Inuit traditions.

"I'm in an Inuvialuit-style drum dancing group and we're trying to start one for the central style as well," she said. "I like dancing with everyone, but what I enjoy most about it is learning the stories behind the songs and hearing the elders sing."

Kakak's in her second last year of high school, works part-time at the Arctic Closet and also plays a number of sports.

"I'm a forward on the Cambridge Bay Wolverines basketball team," she said. "I also play volleyball and soccer in my spare time."

She's also gearing up for her first year in the open category of the snowmobile races during the Omingmak Frolics later this month. Having just started her job before Christmas, working is still new to her.

"All the people that come in are good company - especially the little kids," she said. "It's great to see all the new stuff that comes in and you get first choice of everything, too."

While her future hopes include vying for a chance to go to school in Ottawa, she has no doubt where she wants to spend her life.

"I'd like to one day work for the Kitikmeot Inuit Association so I can help people around our region and make everyone's lives even better."