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In 2012, the youth leadership expedition hosted six people. In 2013, Arctic Watch hosted 10 people and the tourism company hopes to host 20 people next year. - photo courtesy of Tessum Weber
Expedition honours memory of teenager
Youth leadership event emphasizes living on the land

Danielle Sachs
Northern News Services
Published Saturday, June 29, 2013

QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE BAY
A high-end tourism company is taking youth out on the land to honour the memory of the late Steve Amarualik from Resolute Bay.

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Steve Amarualik was like part of the family when he worked for Arctic Watch. The tourism company is honouring his memory with a youth leadership expedition. - photo courtesy of Tessum Weber

Amarualik worked for Arctic Watch for five years where he made a lasting impact on coworkers, so much so that the company started a youth leadership expedition to honour his memory.

This year is the second incarnation of the expedition. It was to kick off on Canada Day and is scheduled to run until July 12 with sea kayaking, whale watching and first aid courses integral parts of the wilderness training.

Amarualik worked at Arctic Watch for five years, starting when he was 14 years old.

"During that time, he blossomed into an intelligent, athletic young man who loved life and speed," said Richard Weber, owner of Arctic Watch.

"He became a member of the family -- and his loss was deeply felt by the entire Arctic Watch team. As Steve truly embodies the goals and expectations of the youth program, it has been named in his honour and memory."

Arctic Watch normally caters to adventure tourists from a luxury camp on Somerset Island. Their week-long tours involve whale watching, hiking, kayaking and they also occasionally host film crews and photographers.

"This 12-day stay focuses on outdoor skills and activities, including sea kayaking, camping on the tundra, rafting, wildlife photography, a wilderness first aid course, hiking and more," said Tessum Weber of Arctic Watch.

When the youth, ages 13 to 17 aren't camping, they'll be staying at the lodge.

Amarualik was a gifted Northern athlete, once reaching 7.8 feet in the two-foot high kick. No stranger to adventure, he also participated in the 2002 Students on Ice expedition to Antarctica.

Last summer was the first time the expedition had been held with a focus on youth and leadership.

"The Youth Expedition participants worked with the biologists helping to identify specific beluga behavior. They catalogued flora and fauna and uploaded data to the National Geographic Project Noah.

"(Amarualik) serves as a reminder to the participants of the qualities that the program helps them develop. With (Amarualik) as a role model -- someone to whom Inuit youth can relate -- we hope that his example will also help young people in Resolute Bay develop the life skills they need to deal with the challenges of life as an aboriginal youth in the Canadian Arctic and build the kind of lasting relationships that will provide them confidence and enhanced self-esteem," said Weber.

One of Amaruliak's old friends, Nick Mukpa, said it sounded like an amazing opportunity.

"We need Inuit youth to take on this awesome stuff," he said.

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