NUNAVUT - There are not many people who can say they have gotten a standing ovation from Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and winner of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.

Last year, Jesse Mike got the chance to rub elbows with some of the world's most influential people. Mike, right, is seen here with Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations and winner of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. - photo courtesy of Jesse Mike

Fewer still under the age of 25. But, then again, Jesse Mike is not the average 20-something.

"It was crazy," said Mike of the experience.

Mike, 23, was at the Global Humanitarian Forum in Geneva last year with Annan and others to speak as a climate change witness on behalf of Inuit. She talked about thinning ice in the North, telling the story of a friend who fell through the ice and died "because the ice was thin."

"It was a very emotional speech," said Mike.

But being in a room full of "people who make all the decisions in the world" was also a cool learning experience, to say the least, she added.

And while not all of Mike's advocacy work lands her in a room full of the world's leaders, she is definitely no stranger to getting involved in big issues.

Currently, Mike is Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s youth policy analyst and president of the Embrace Life Council, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention and life affirmation.

"It's taking a positive approach to suicide prevention (and) trying to get people to value life and appreciate who they are," she said.

"Growing up I've always wanted to work with youth. It's important to me to share and encourage young Inuit to be proud of themselves and to realize there's so much to life," Mike added.

There are a number of ways to encourage youth, said Mike. For example, Mike participated in a workshop in Cape Dorset where she got to "hang out" with youth for five days and teach them how to use cameras, to film and to edit.

Activities like that – similar ones have taken place in communities across Nunavut – teach Inuit youth ways of expressing themselves, she said.

Mike is also a president of the National Inuit Youth Council and runs a local hockey camp – among many things.

"I'm on so many committees and boards," she laughed. "I think it's very important for anyone to be involved in their community."

After all, getting involved and advocating for what you believe in are the kinds of things that make a difference, said Mike.

"It's important. More people need to do it – (to) do things to make the change they want."