Rankin Inlet (Nov 15/06) - A group of First Nations youth rocked the people of Rankin Inlet with a stunning dance performance before bidding them a fond farewell earlier this month.

The group of 11 youth, two chaperons and an elder from the N'swakamok Friendship Centre in Sudbury, Ontario, were in Rankin as part of a YMCA exchange trip with youth from the Pulaarvik Kablu Friendship Centre.

The Rankin youth (Nelson Kablalik, Ronald Anawak, Stewart Aggark, James Tutanuak, Raymond Makpah, Sharon Makkigak, Jenna-Lee Kasaluak, Angelina Tiktak, Mary Tagalik, Ipiksaut Friesen and Molly Amarook) are in Sudbury this week with chaperons Noah Tiktak and Hannah Benoit.

Pulaarvik Kablu executive director George Dunkerley said one of the main benefits to the program is for the Rankin youth to learn what's really at the other end of an airplane ride.

He said a number of the kids visiting Sudbury have never been outside of Rankin, except for medical travel.

"The kids make wonderful connections with other youth in the country through these programs," said Dunkerley.

"They'll maintain these connections long after the exchange program is over.

"My daughter went on a school exchange to Quebec three years ago and she still keeps in touch with about 10 of the kids she met."

Dunkerley said while today's technology can keep Northern kids plugged into the rest of Canada, it's no substitute for real interaction.

He said while Northern kids might know what a Chopper jacket is, many of them have never seen its actual namesake in person.

"One of the kids brought pictures from a Harley-Davidson dealership in their community and our kids went nuts over them.

"It was exciting for them to be with kids who can see those bikes every day if they want to."

Dunkerley said the youth got along well from the first time they met.

He said the only conflict that arose during the visit was with their chaperons.

"They weren't used to the notion it was OK for their kids to be out at 11 p.m.

"Coming from the city, their kids are supposed to be in the house much earlier.

"We sat down and went over the customs for kids in our community and it was all fine after that."

Dunkerley hopes the exchange programs continue, now that more southern groups want to come to the Arctic.

He said the YMCA is realizing the value of the program to the youth involved outweighs the cost of the trips.

"The more these programs happen, the more I see them continuing.

"It's a win-win situation because everyone involved with this program takes something from it."