Stephanie McDonald
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 5, 2007

GJOA HAVEN - Tired of having too few activities to participate in, Kyle Aglukkaq and Heather Arqviq helped form the Gjoa Haven Youth Committee along with five of their peers.

There was a youth committee in the community a few years ago, but when they were unable to open a youth centre, the group disbanded.

Aglukkaq, a Grade 11 student, was walking past the Northern store this summer when he saw a sign advertising the youth committee. He signed his name to the list and now finds himself as co-president with his friend Jeremy Bergen.

"I wanted to see more action happening with youth," Aglukkaq said.

He envisions the youth committee being for anyone in town who is younger than 55.

The committee has been meeting once a week since September and the members have already brainstormed a long list of organizations and activities they hope to start. The first priority, however, is to open the long-awaited youth centre.

The building the committee has its sights on is in a residential area. After years of deliberations, it has finally been changed into a public spot and is now able to be used for the youth centre. Aglukkaq anticipates that renovations will be finish on the building next summer. Inside, the committee plans to open an Internet café, a food café and to have a TV and board games for community members to drop in and enjoy.

The committee will also be organizing camping trips, tool making seminars, cultural events, throat singing and drum dancing sessions.

"I didn't have it before and I want the younger people to have it," Aglukkaq said. "I just want to see it done."

When asked why she was interested in joining the committee, Arqviq said she wanted "to make our home a better place to live." She has been selected as the committee's treasurer and will help to organize fundraisers.

She was motivated to join the group of young people after an assembly at the high school about the committee and after meeting the region's MLA, Leona Aglukkaq.

"She told us that instead of just waiting for a building, we could start. We could still make things happen until we get our own building," she said.

Leona Aglukkaq, the sister of co-president Kyle, made a statement in the legislative assembly on Oct. 25, commending the youth on their work.

"It is very nice to see young people today take a proactive approach to identifying issues important to youth to be addressed by youth for youth," she said.

Teachers Lee Bird and Frances Ross are acting as advisers for the committee.

"This year (the students have) really had a strong focus. They're very committed to getting this project up and running," Bird said.