IQALUIT - Inspiring youth through art was the goal of the Northern Youth Arts Forum held in Iqaluit at the end of January.

Army Cadet Angeline Ivalu of Igloolik works diligently on a craft during the Joint Task Force North Youth Arts Forum.

More than 40 Royal Canadian Air and Army cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers from across the territory gathered in Iqaluit to participate in two arts activities, sponsored by Joint Task Force North

Cadets and junior rangers had the chance to learn how to make traditional crafts such as jewelry, prints and stone carvings at Nunavut Arctic College.

"I had lots of fun and it was a break from the normal routine," said Simon DeMaio, a 16-year-old air cadet with the 795 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Iqaluit.

DeMaio said he made a necklace with a raven on it out of copper. When describing the process, he said that he had to cut the shape out of the copper using a saw. After that he used a hammer and a peg to engrave the shape of the raven. DeMaio said the process took a couple of hours.

Other cadets and Junior Rangers were shown how to make prints of whales and seals or how to carve seals or inuksuit from stone.

The second activity the cadets and Junior Rangers participated in was a hip-hop dance workshop presented by Blue Print for Life, an organization that teaches social work through hip hop.

"There are a lot more muscles in your body than you think, and it opens you up to a whole bunch of different things," said DeMaio, adding that he had not tried hip-hop dancing before.

The squadron in Iqaluit had two of their members participate in the event.

"The forum was well received by our representatives," said Capt. Adam Chubbs, commanding officer of 795 Iqaluit Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Chubbs added that his squadron would be willing to participate in the forum again. He said he thinks it is important to hold special events for the youth as it builds self-esteem and camaraderie.

The ultimate goal of the forum was to encourage positive self-expression through art. DeMaio said the workshop taught him that it is important to be yourself and be original while having fun.