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Youth passing the torch

Philippe Morin
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 18/06) - Some young volunteers will be rewarded for their time and efforts next month, as they are flown to Yellowknife and Whitehorse to help run the Canada Winter Games.

In all, about 36 "Youth Ambassadors" were chosen by the GNWT, with one person coming from every territorial community.
NNSL Photo/graphic

Andrea Keogak, from Sachs Harbour - shown here holding the Canada Games Torch last summer - will represent her community as a Youth Ambassador, at the Canada Winter Games in February and March. - photo courtesy of Andrea Keogak

The youth were asked to submit two letters of recommendation and describe their volunteering experience.

Carol Ross, who volunteers and works for the hamlet of Tsiigehtchic, was among those chosen.

"I'm very excited, I'm happy I applied," she said on Dec. 5.

Another ambassador, Andrea Keogak from Sachs Harbour, also said she looked forward to attending the games, since she long wanted to be an athlete.

"I love to play sports and everything, but I had a knee injury playing soccer a few years ago, it holds me back," Keogak said.

In Tuktoyaktuk, recreation coordinator Janna Wolki said the hamlet made the right choice in sending Virginia Kotokak.

The sixteen-year-old sports fan often bakes for community feasts, and twice won the hamlet's annual Volunteer Award.

"She's been involved in recreation as long as I've been here," Wolki said.

Keogak said that before the volunteers meet in Whitehorse, they will be flown to Yellowknife to meet other Youth Ambassadors.

Other Beaufort Delta winners include Jerrita Rose Mabel Thrasher from Paulatuk, Tanya Showshoe from Inuvik, and Bobbi-Rose Koe from Fort McPherson, with other representatives said to be coming from every community in the NWT.

The Canada Games happen from Feb. 23 to March 10, and organizers said more than 5,000 volunteers will be needed.