spacer
SSI
Search NNSL

  LOG-IN TO NEWSDESK ADVERTISINGSPECIAL ISSUESONLINE SPORTSOBITUARIESNORTHERN JOBSTENDERS


Subscriber pages

buttonspacer News Desk
buttonspacer Columnists
buttonspacer Editorial
buttonspacer Readers comment
buttonspacer Tenders


Court News and Legal Links
Home page text size buttonsbigger textsmall textText size
People power
Visiting cadet officer taken by warmth, openness in Naujaat

Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, June 21, 2017

NAUJAAT
Every angle of the Experiences Canada exchange program that brought together cadets from Port Alberni, B.C., and Naujaat has been explored during the past three months.

NNSL photograph

A group of cadets from Port Alberni, B.C., get a chance to go dog sledding while on the second half of their exchange program with cadets in Naujaat last month. - photo courtesy of Lloyd Francis

The exploration took place hrough the eyes of the youth who were visiting locations just a little outside their comfort zone in some ways, as well as the officers and civilian instructors who accompanied the cadets after working hard to ensure the trip became a reality.

Many of the Naujaat cadets wanted to do as many different things as time and cash reserves would allow while visiting B.C., while the Port Alberni cadets were fascinated by the way of life in Naujaat, the only North American community located on the Arctic Circle.

The pace of life was equally fascinating to each group of cadets, albeit for totally opposite reasons.

The Naujaat cadets simply could not get over how many choices the B.C. cadets had each-and-every day, many of which they took for granted, while the Nunavut youths were left wide-eyed and breathless from trying to experience each choice just once, with more than a few knowing it might very well be the only time they ever get the chance.

Even though they were told beforehand, the B.C. youth were still somewhat disbelieving at the sparseness of technology when they arrived in Naujaat.

However, they quickly accepted the situation and found themselves enjoying a number of traditional activities; even getting a tiny, tiny, taste of the sense of absolute freedom the land is able to bestow upon those who seek its bounty and brave its perils.

For Lt. (N) Carson Stoney, however, the most eye-opening and enlightening aspect of his visit to the Arctic Circle was far more rudimentary in its nature than anything one might find on the Information Highway or, for that matter, anywhere near the bright lights that attracted the Naujaat cadets during their stay in Port Alberni.

Stoney was blown away by the people.

"For the most part, given the circumstances, I expected most of the people who we'd meet to be welcoming," said Stoney.

"But the openness of the people towards you, and the manner in which everyone was accepted for, really, his or her own self was refreshing because it was genuine.

"Everyone would go out of their way to lend a hand if needed, you were always acknowledged, whether by a nod, a smile or a handshake, and it seemed like everyone in the community wanted to meet you or, at least, say hello.

"Many of the kids there seemed to want to know almost everything about you."

Stoney said if they're ever able to access any kind of funding again, they'd love to make a return visit to Naujaat.

"Absolutely, we'd love to return.

"Everyone in our group felt really welcome and had a wonderful time.

"We met some truly wonderful people in Naujaat."

E-mailWe welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.