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DELINE/FORT FRANKLIN
Brett Elemie is one of six students from Ehtseo Ayha School in Deline selected to attend the Dreamcatcher Aboriginal Youth Conference in Edmonton last week.

Elemie said he was looking forward to the trip.

"I'm just having fun and seeing if they have any good courses so when I go to college. I might go there," he said, speaking before heading to the conference which was held Oct. 12 and 13.

The conference has been held annually at MacEwan University in Edmonton for the past 20 years.

Elemie said he was chosen after writing a letter to teachers about why he believed he should be selected. His letter explained how other students who had been to the conference shared their experiences with him, which prompted his interest. He also said he had never been to Edmonton by himself before.

"We wrote a letter and they chose the best ones," he said.

Elemie said the conference was a popular idea among his fellow students.

"When the teachers were talking about it, they told us about it," he said. "A lot of people wanted to go."

In addition to the educational component, Elemie said he will enjoy getting the chance to meet new people.

"I look forward to seeing new people also," he said.

Providing an opportunity for students to meet different people is part of what makes the conference special, said Trent Waterhouse, the school's program support teacher.

"I think the biggest thing is the chance to interact with other youth from around Alberta, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut," he said. "To be involved in activities that aren't necessarily school related, but life related. Interacting with others independent of school and community."

Waterhouse grew up in a small town and said he knows first-hand the importance of broadening one's horizons.

"A lot of times, people that grow up in small places, I found you don't get the opportunity to get out and try new things," he said. " You just don't get a chance to do it."

Waterhouse also said Elemie has a variety of impressive character traits, which will help him get the most out of the conference.

"Brett is always one of those individuals who is willing to participate," he said. "He always tries to do his best to make others feel comfortable in situations. He's an individual who is responsible and reliable and he chooses to be positive."

Eremie said he is definitely going to have fun while he is away and will "probably even learn a few things."

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