NAUJAAT
A pair of Tuugaalik High School students had a memorable experience in the nation's capital earlier this fall.

Tuugaalik High School Ida Kridluar and Terrance Mapsalak of Naujaat had an incredible trip to the nation's capital after being selected as two of three Nunavut representatives to attend Encounters with Canada in Ottawa in September of 2016. - photo courtesy of Julia MacPherson

Ida Kridluar and Terrance Mapsalak were nominated by vice-principal Julia MacPherson and teacher Ashley Buckle to attend a special Encounters with Canada trip provided by the RCMP.

The purpose of their visit to Ottawa from Sept. 16 to 26 was to learn about emergency services.

The students stayed at the Terry Fox Centre and took part in numerous activities, including visiting RCMP detachments, firefighters, paramedics and hospital workers.

MacPherson said Kridluar and Mapsalak have been all smiles since their return to Naujaat.

She said they can't stop telling stories about their trip to classmates and teachers.

"They proudly show their pictures and wear their Encounters with Canada gear," said MacPherson.

"The opportunity to travel, visit Ottawa, interact with other youth their own age, and oversee how emergency services work will always be a fond memory for them.

"Even the smallest things that many people may take for granted - seeing or feeding a horse, eating a hot meal every night or seeing greenery - was a highlight they won't soon forget."

The opportunity to travel is limited for most of Naujaat's youth.

Some may never leave the North, or get an opportunity to visit a city for an extended period of time.

MacPherson said this opportunity for the two students was greatly appreciated.

She said a lot of planning and consideration went into the week.

"I'm thankful to the RCMP for looking after the flights, accommodations and registration, and for taking the time from their busy schedules to teach the students about the services they provide.

"The students were very excited to visit the different departments and see the horses used for the RCMP's Musical Ride.

"We are also grateful to the Encounters with Canada program for the wonderful workers, off-site staff, and volunteers who help with events and provide professional experiences for our youth."

Kridluar, 16, a Grade 11 student, said the trip to Ottawa was an awesome experience.

She said she enjoyed spending time with the RCMP officers in Ottawa.

"I learned a lot of different things during my time with the police," said Kridluar.

"I also enjoyed our trip to the Parliament Buildings, which was really pretty cool."

Kridluar said as much as she enjoyed spending time with the RCMP, she doesn't see a career in law enforcement in her future.

However, she said it was interesting to learn about the different jobs officers do.

"I might change my mind someday, but, right now, I don't see myself as a police officer.

"It was my first time to visit Ottawa, and everyone we dealt with were pretty nice and helpful.

"It's a very pretty city and they keep it really clean."

"It was also pretty cool to meet people my own age from across Canada, and I made a few new friends there."

Kridluar said the Terry Fox Centre is an extremely nice building.

She said while she learned a lot in Ottawa, there was also lots of time for going out and having fun.

"My favourite food there was ribs and chicken, which really were finger-licking good.

"I also got to feed a horse for the first time.

"I was a little nervous at first, but they're really gentle when they take it from you.

"Any Nunavut student who gets the chance to be involved with Encounters with Canada should take the opportunity, because it's a great trip."

MacPherson said for Kridluar and Mapsalak to have the opportunity to actually see how emergency services work is quite substantial.

She said the program is a valuable learning experience for students.

"Talking with people in the detachments showed them how to apply to be an RCMP officer, what some of the courses are they would need, what the training is like, and all the different streams, or positions you can hold, within the RCMP," said MacPherson.

"It's the same idea with firefighters or paramedics.

"For me, it was really important that the students got a chance to travel south and get to do a lot of really cool things.

"But what we really wanted them to take from it is the fact there are career opportunities outside the North, or, opportunities for the training to get a job, and then come back to the North."

MacPherson said having more Inuit in the RCMP would change the way officers are viewed in the North.

She said having more Inuit interested in becoming RCMP officers would be a win-win situation for everyone.

"It would help strengthen the RCMP, the communities in general, and the home communities of the youth who decided to go that route.

"Encounters with Canada is a very positive program I strongly support."

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