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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - If Dwight McLeod and Tyler Pilling had a say in the territorial government, lottery funds would be used solely to support sports.

A motion to use a portion of lottery funds to support arts and cultural programs was one of the items up for debate at this year's Youth Parliament. Acting in the role of the MLA for the Deh Cho, McLeod disagreed with the motion on the basis that he likes sports.

Taking on the role of Nahendeh MLA, Tyler Pilling of Fort Simpson gives his members' statement during Youth Parliament at the legislative assembly in Yellowknife. - photo courtesy of Danielle O'Neill

Pilling also disagreed with the motion. Arts and crafts are good and they contribute to Northern culture, but speaking from experience, Pilling said sports groups can't afford to lose any more funding.

The lottery fund motion would have been defeated if youth permanently filled the seats at the legislative assembly in Yellowknife. For three days around April 18, youth from across the territory did get the chance to experience what it would be like to run the territory.

This year's Youth Parliament session was held from April 20 to 23. The goal of the program is to educate Northern youth about consensus government in the territory.

Both McLeod and Pilling said they learned a lot during the program.

Before going to Youth Parliament, Pilling, a student at Thomas Simpson School in Fort Simpson, said he thought MLAs spent most of their time making new laws.

"We don't learn a lot about our own system of government in school," Pilling said.

At the legislative assembly, Pilling, 15, said he learned that passing a law isn't a straightforward matter.

There are a lot of stages involved, he said.

McLeod, a student at Deh Gah School in Fort Providence, said he discovered that MLAs have very long days but they do have comfy chairs to compensate.

As part of the parliament, each MLA and minister made a statement.

When it came time for his minster's statement, McLeod spoke about the availability of cell phone service in his riding. The service isn't available in some areas where people might need to use it in the case of an emergency, he said.

The young politicians also debated three other motions. On the issue of decriminalizing marijuana, Pilling abstained while McLeod voted in favour.

"I just went with the flow and agreed," said McLeod.

The two parliamentarians came out on opposite sides of the nine-month school year motion with Pilling agreeing and McLeod voting against. Both students abstained on the protection of children abusing drugs act that would give parents the legal right to intervene if their children are misusing drugs.

"Parents might take advantage of the whole thing," McLeod said.

So are the two students ready to run for office when they're old enough?

McLeod, who's actually the nephew of Michael McLeod, the current Deh Cho MLA isn't so sure. He said he'll keep the option open but isn't making any commitments.

Pilling also isn't convinced it's the right career choice for him.

"It's interesting but there's lots of public speaking," he said. "It's pretty hard. You've go to know what you're talking about."