SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Student representatives from across the territory participated in the 2011 Youth Parliament last week, which culminated in a lively mock-debate in the legislative assembly Thursday afternoon.

Seven Yellowknife teens – Kassidy Blampied, Kendall Tecsy, Steve Norbert Gomes, Jarette Crookedhand, Emily Bevan, Robert Doak and Matt Nguyen – were chosen to take part in the educational program, along with 12 other Grade 9 and 10 students.

"I thought I knew lots about the government, but I learned way more," said Emily Bevan, a student at Sir John Franklin High School who was representing the constituency of Yellowknife South.

From Monday to Wednesday last week, the youth parliamentarians had a schedule jam-packed with presentations, activities and even homework assignments while they all kept the same goal in mind: to learn first-hand how the territorial government works.

They heard from Thebacha MLA and cabinet minister Michael Miltenberger, and the office of the clerk, on topics ranging from how to file a motion in government to – with presentations by St. Patrick High School's Students Against Drinking and Driving program – the dangers of drinking and driving.

The junior MLAs toured the legislative assembly building and saw for themselves what politicians and bureaucrats do, and how they formulate and implement policies.

In the evenings they took part in chaperoned events like playing soccer and volleyball at the Fieldhouse, movies at Capitol Theatre, bowling at Kingpin Bowling Centre and shopping at Wal-Mart for formal clothes to wear at the legislature.

Throughout the week they also worked on formulating members' statements and motions to present at the assembly Thursday afternoon, which served as the culmination of their insider's look at government.

Since 1999 students have been taking part in this outreach program, which by all accounts has been a huge success.

Deputy Clerk Doug Schauerte, who moderated the students' debates Thursday, said the 19 representatives were some of the most "confident, capable, invested and intelligent" students he has ever seen in Youth Parliament.

"A lot of character, a lot of characters," he said of the feisty group, which burst into laughter a few times during their lively debate in the legislative assembly.

In the chamber, students presented motions on topics ranging from bullying and youth programs to substance abuse and sexual education – all topics that were of particular importance to them.

For many students, participating in the program was just the first step in becoming more involved in their communities.

"At the beginning it was really intimidating, but after everybody gets a chance to speak it's less nerve-racking," said Kassidy Blampied, a student at Sir John Franklin High School who was representing Kam Lake.

"It was really fun debating because not everybody agreed. It gives youth a chance to voice their opinions and bring up issues that are important to them, because you don't normally get a chance to do that."

The 19 students ended up debating almost an hour past their allotted time, which Schauerte said was unprecedented.

"Just the fact that we went on to this late hour illustrates to me that there is a lot of interest and investment on their parts."

Great Slave MLA Glen Abernethy said Youth Parliament participants always impress him. Two years ago, after hearing his student representative's speech in youth parliament, he asked if he could repeat it during a regular sitting of the MLAs.

Not only is it a great learning experience for the students, but it also gives them a chance to meet and bond with teenagers from across the territory, from Fort Providence to Ulukhaktok.

"I noticed at lunch hour (Thursday) just looking around the room, these guys were complete strangers to each other four days ago, and now there's probably some lifelong friendships in this room," Schauerte said.

According to Schauerte, the outreach program achieved its goal of getting youth engaged in the processes of their government.

"Young people around the world aren't really interested in the political process and we recognized that's a gap that needs to be filled through the introduction of this program," he said.

"We have tried to generate interest amongst young people and hopefully that interest, once ignited, can develop into their adulthood."

Blampied, like the rest of the participants, said she's leaving the legislative assembly with a new resolve.

"We used to do debates in socials class and I never said anything, but once we got in the (legislative assembly) I couldn't shut up," she said.

"I'm going to start voicing my opinion now."

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