IQALUIT - Royal Canadian Air Cadets from the 795 Iqaluit Squadron spent a week this month volunteering as pages at the legislative assembly, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the squad's presence in the community.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott stands with Cadet Flight Cpl. Newkinga Nowdlak-Moss, Cadet Warrant Second Class Officer Candice Sudlovenick, Cadet Cpl. Anika Bychok and Leading Air Cadet Sheila Papatsie outside the legislative assembly chamber. They are some of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets from the 795 Iqaluit Squadron who volunteered as pages at the legislative assembly in March. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

For some cadets, including Cpl. Anika Bychok, this was their first time as a page at the legislature.

"It shows everyone that we are good citizens," she said.

Four cadets served as pages and each had several duties to look after. Their tasks included filling and distributing water glasses to the members, interpreters, technicians and the media; acting as messengers in the assembly delivering messages to and from MLAs; handing out documents and distributing translation headsets to individuals who came to watch the proceedings.

"The cadets were very professional and very good," said Cindy Rennie, public affairs officer with the legislative assembly of Nunavut.

Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott organized the page program. He said he is a strong believer in the cadet program, and has been involved with the Royal Canadian Army Cadets in Arctic Bay for the last 20 years.

"It is good for the cadets to understand how the government process works and how they can be involved in the community," said Elliott.

Elliott said that the initiative was supported by his fellow MLAs.

He added the cadets will be able to apply what they learned at the legislature about how the territorial government works in the future.

"The cadet program finishes when they are 18 years old and they will be voting," said Elliott.

He said that by having the cadets volunteer as pages that it puts a high profile on the cadet program.

Warrant Second Class Officer Candice Sudlovenick said she enjoyed her time as a page. She said that at first she was not sure what to do, but learned quickly and took to her tasks. She said she learned that pages and all members of the assembly have to show respect to the chairman and the speaker.

Sudlovenick has been a page four times now after coming in with cadets and through her school. She said she now has a better understanding of how the government works and the role of MLAs.

"They are trying to pass laws and fix things," she said.

Participating in the page program falls under the citizenship component of the cadet program, which also emphasizes leadership, technical and physical fitness training.