Hello,

My name is Shelaine Nutarasungnik, I am 17 years old & I am from Kimmirut, Nunavut. A small community of about 450 people and about 30-minute plane ride from the capital (Iqaluit) of Nunavut. I’m so glad to be taking part in the 2026 Canadian Program of Northern Youth Abroad! It’s an honor to be experiencing all kinds of new things, embracing every moment this journey brings.

I chose to apply and participate in the Canadian Program to explore new cultures, gain valuable life experiences, and develop my independence. Also to learn how to live in the south, meet new people from different backgrounds, improve my communication skills, and broaden my perspective on the world. Earning the high school credits will help me a lot throughout my last year of high school & I really believe that this opportunity will help me grow personally & academically, preparing me for future challenges and inspiring me to make a positive impact in my community. I also know that my late Mentor, Johnny Padluq, who was known by so many people for his kindness & love, who was open for absolutely anything and willing to help those in need, super proud of how far I’ve pushed forward despite every challenge I have faced. I myself, knowing he really wanted this for me and to experience it, so here I am <3  

I got placed in Edmonton, Alberta, and it has been amazing in the past three weeks away from home, starting at the camp an hour outside of Ottawa where I met so many great people! The NYA staff, other participants from different parts of Nunavut & the Northwest Territories. Edmonton is such a nice place with really beautiful scenery, lots of things / places I’ve never seen before. The city comes alive with green parks and colorful flowers; the days are long & sunny, perfect for exploring outdoor festivals, markets and all the fun activities happening around town. Such a great time to enjoy the warm weather & beautiful nature! I’ve travelled from Kimmirut – Iqaluit, Iqaluit – Ottawa, Ottawa – Calgary and then drove to Edmonton from Calgary with my Host-Mom & her beautiful girls along with my placement buddy, Sydney. I enjoyed flying to Calgary and driving to another place for the first time.

My Host-Family (Emily, Stevan, Izzy & Sophie) has been incredibly welcoming and kind since we arrived, also their cat (Mike) is super chill. They have already made me feel at home right from the moment I met them & I’ve been enjoying every bit of my stay, really supportive and patient in ways I can’t even explain. Their warmth and generosity have created a comfortable environment where I can learn and grow! I truly appreciate their kindness and the effort they put into making my experience enjoyable & memorable – always happy to take us to new places once we can, super grateful! My buddy is Sydney Ameralik from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut. We get along so well & we both love shopping, trying new food, taking pictures or getting to know the city more! 

My work placement at the Edmonton Aboriginal Seniors Centre is a wonderful experience. The staff there are very kind, welcoming, and supportive. Everyone is patient and works well together, they make sure I feel comfortable & included while I learn new skills and I get to help with different tasks like assisting or running events for seniors to gather, which makes the workplace lively and enjoyable. I could also help with cooking / kitchen prep, they can even ask me to help with the garden – water the plants or grow new plants. I enjoy learning from them because they share their knowledge & encourage me to do my best. All these experiences make my placement both fun and rewarding, even got to make my very first drum which I really enjoyed!

So far, I’ve gone swimming, went shopping at close by malls along with the biggest mall in Canada (West Edmonton Mall), learned to take the bus back & forth, tried new food / drinks, and got a membership for Edmonton’s recreational activities like fitness and other stuff. Got to check out an event for Canada Day along with watching lots of fireworks! Also got to attend A$AP Rocky’s concert for the very first time last weekend it was a blast! Enjoyed every bit of his performance & that was definitely for the books! Looking forward to getting my nails done, getting new tattoos, & riding a horse for the very first time + soo much more! 

Honestly, Northern Youth Abroad has been an eye-opening experience that really expanded my perspective. It helped me understand different cultures, challenges, and ways of life that I hadn’t thought about before. Through the program, I have learned to appreciate diversity and developed a stronger sense of empathy and global awareness. It made me more confident and inspired me to think beyond my own community, encouraging me to be more open-minded & curious about the world around me. I recommend this program so much to northern youth interested in expanding their horizons and gaining new experiences! Biggest thanks to my Vice Principal Aly (my mentor), for pushing me forward to go ahead with this no matter how challenging it was, helping me & always believing in me through it all! 

Thank you, NYA for absolutely everything!!