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KIMMIRUT/LAKE HARBOUR
When seven teens and three guides try to conquer the Soper River this week, several of the teens will be rafting through an area they've only seen from the land.

"It looks awesome because we get to raft down through the valley," said Qipani Michael, 18, of Kimmirut, who said he's prepared for anything. "I've been going hunting there mostly in the winter time. I'm hoping to see caribou in the summertime."

Michael is one of three young men from Kimmirut joining four young women from Iqaluit on the expedition organized by Outward Bound, a non-profit outdoor education organization. Two southern instructors and Iqaluit's Franco Buscemi are leading the group, which was set to leave Iqaluit late last week, and was to be dropped off by plane at Mount Joy.

"My sister was in Outward Bound last time, and said it was an experience," said Jamie Aqpik, 15, of Kimmirut, who hunts in Katannilik Territorial Park. "There will be some familiar landscapes I'll be seeing. Looking forward to seeing caribou. There's not a lot of caribou these days on Baffin Island."

Outward Bound has been a rare sight in Nunavut, too, since the organization ran dog-sledding programs in the 1990s in Iqaluit, said instructor Scott Caspell.

"We're looking to re-engage in the community in a meaningful way," Caspell said, "and have been working with community partners to develop core objectives for this program. The route and logistics and student recruitment have all been developed in collaboration with our community partners in Iqaluit and Kimmirut."

Terrie Kusugak, 18, of Iqaluit is happy the program is running.

"It seemed like too good of an opportunity to pass up," Kusugak said. "I always like to see people exploring the land, and being part of that sounded nice. I'm looking forward to seeing the kind of friendships that can be bonded, and see how far I can push myself in these kinds of conditions. I'm really excited to see the different scenery and the beauty of our land."

Kusugak is recognized in the community as a strong young leader, and that's what the program is trying to nurture, Caspell said. The mission is to help youth learn more about their own strengths, improving their interactions with others, and increasing their resilience.

"Developing a belief in self through the challenges that we experience in the program and how that's applicable in our lives and knowing we have the inner strength to overcome those," he said, noting land stewardship is the third mission, "both connection with and knowledge of the landscape here and different skills associated with living on the land."

"There's going to be some challenges to it," said first-time paddler Willie Onalik, 16, of Kimmirut. "Looking forward to gaining some experience out on the land. I have a little experience, but I'm looking forward to gaining more."

The trip is sponsored by Outward Bound, the Department of Education, the Department of Culture and Heritage, First Air, Nunastar Properties, the RBC Foundation, and the Webster Foundation.

Terrie Kusugak hopes others will get the chance to make such a trip.

"If it comes back, more people should apply," she said. "It's a really great program. So far, it's been such a great experience."

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