SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Last November Magdalene Steinwand took part in the page program at the legislative assembly in Yellowknife. In addition to learning about consensus government and assisting representatives in the chamber, she delivered a lot of water to thirsty MLAs.

Alison McDonald and Euodia Mutua of Inuvik were members of the 11th Biennial Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly in Yellowknife May 5, 2011. - Nathalie Heiberg-Harrison/NNSL photo

On Thursday, May 5 the tables were turned when she took part in the Northwest Territories' 11th Biennial Youth Parliament.

Instead of serving the MLAs water, she sat and debated with her peers while the MLAs brought water to her.

"The page program was pretty cool," Steinwand said, "but this was even more fun."

The Gameti teen was one of 19 Grade 9 and 10 students from across the territory who took part in the Youth Parliament last week in the capital.

To take part, they students had to submit an entry application and then be chosen from amongst their peers to represent their riding.

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

They heard from Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger, the office of the clerk and even St. Patrick High School on topics ranging from the dangers of drinking and driving to how to file a motion in government. They toured the 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 soccer and volleyball at the field house, movies at Capitol Theatre, bowling at Kingpin and shopping at Walmart for formal clothes to wear at the legislature.

Throughout the week they also worked on formulating members' statements and motions to present at the legislative assembly Thursday afternoon - 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.

"I've enjoyed every single bit of it. It'll be sad when I go," said Timothy Gargan-Lacasse, a student at Thomas Simpson School in Fort Simpson.

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.

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

"People can see youth really want to make a difference. We really have opinions about stuff," said Alannis McKee, a student at Moose Kerr School in Aklavik. "It's a really good way to get out what we think is important and let people know about it."

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.

Some, like Gargan-Lacasse, were nervous when they first started their sitting in the legislative assembly.

"I was supposed to say we should have anti-bullying programs and I said, 'Oh, we should have bullying programs,'" he said. "When I signed up I thought I would be serving water, so this was kind of unexpected. I was so nervous," he said.

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."

McKee, like the rest of the participants, said she's going to return home to Aklavik with a new resolve.

"I'm going to take home the knowledge of how to change something. Lots of people at my school say they want things to be better but they don't really know what to do, how to make a difference," she added.

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