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!!

Hi, I’m David Kalluk, and I’m from Baker Lake, Nunavut, and this summer I’m in St. John’s. St. John’s is such a wonderful place with so many beautiful views. So far I’m enjoying it.

I’ve been exploring the outskirts of St. John’s and these adventures I’ve liked so far, I liked seeing all these amazing views on the hikes. I’ve been to abandoned WW2 ruins with graffiti, I honestly thought I wouldn’t have seen this kind of art but my host family and NYA have made it possible.

I did the Irish Loop with a couple stops, I saw some whales during the loop, and I also went to St. Vincent which is known for whales and is even called “The Whale Playground” but unfortunately we didn’t see any. While at the beach we saw some Northern Gannets that would dive every few minutes to catch some small fish. All these adventures we do always have breathtaking views and without a doubt stunning.

It is such an honor and is something I will take advantage of because this type of opportunity is so rare up in the north. I am so thankful for NYA for giving these types of opportunities to youth up in the north despite how expensive it is.

And I am glad to end up going this year because I have made great friends in the past 3 weeks, I will forever remember these moments with NYA! Having a program that helps build a bridge between schools, post-secondary, and work is so convenient. The work experience we get can and will help us participants in the future. I hope other youth in the north get to experience this like I have and make some memories and gain a very useful experience.

“Home isn’t always a place you’ve lived—sometimes it’s a place where people make you feel like you belong.”

When I left Tuktoyaktuk, I knew I was about to experience something completely different, but I never imagined how quickly Hamilton, Ontario would start to feel like a second home.

The moment that will stay with me forever happened the day we arrived. As soon as we met our host mom, she couldn’t stop smiling. She kept taking pictures of us, giving us hugs, and telling us how happy she was that we were finally here. Seeing her eyes fill with tears made me realize just how excited she was to welcome us into her family. That moment instantly made me feel comfortable, and I’ll never forget it.

Since then, we’ve been making memories every day. We’ve gone shopping, visited the zoo, spent a day at a carnival, gone to a concert, cheered at a football game, worked out at the gym, gone out to eat, and even had an awesome pool party. Every day has been a new adventure, and there has always been something exciting to look forward to. It’s amazing how much we’ve been able to experience in such a short amount of time.

One of my favourite parts of this experience has been trying foods I’d never eaten before. I finally tried asparagus, ramen, and jamaican food. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m glad I stepped outside my comfort zone because I ended up enjoying all of them.

Hamilton is so different from Tuktoyaktuk. The traffic, the number of people, the variety of restaurants, and all the places to explore are completely different from what I’m used to. Even the time difference took some getting used to! At first it felt overwhelming, but now I find myself appreciating how much there is to see and do.

This trip has taught me that sometimes the best experiences happen when you’re willing to try something new. I’ve learned more than I expected—not just about Ontario, but about myself. I’ve become more confident, more open to new experiences, and more grateful for the opportunity to meet incredible people.

If you’re thinking about joining Northern Youth Abroad one day, my advice is simple: say yes. You never know where the experience will take you or the people you’ll meet along the way. I came here expecting to learn about a new place, but I’m leaving with unforgettable memories, new friendships, and a second family I’ll always be thankful for.

Hi!

My name is Helen, and I am from Fort Liard. Some of my favorite hobbies are listening to music, spending time with my friends and family, socializing, and snowboarding during the winters. I enjoy trying new things and exploring new places, which is one of the reasons I decided to join the NYA program this summer.

The NYA program gives northern students the opportunity to travel to southern Canada, gain hands-on work experience, continue their education, and learn more about themselves. I joined because I wanted to explore different career options and start thinking about what I want to do in the future. Although I wasn’t completely sure which path I wanted to take after school, I knew this would be a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone, experience something new, and grow as a person.

This summer, I have been staying in Hamilton, Ontario, with my host family, Jeneka and her daughter, Tsuanna. They have been incredibly kind and welcoming. Being away from home can be challenging at times, but they have helped me feel comfortable, supported, and included. I truly appreciate everything they have done to make my stay enjoyable.

For my internship, I have been working at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. It has been an amazing experience because I have had the opportunity to learn new skills, meet new people, and see how the organization supports the community. Everyone has been friendly and welcoming, and I have enjoyed learning from the staff while gaining valuable hands-on experience. This internship has helped me build confidence and given me a better understanding of what it’s like to work in a different environment.

Outside of work, I have had the chance to experience so many things that I had never done before. I visited shopping malls, tried a variety of restaurants, and attended concerts with great live music. I also went to a summer music festival, which was a lot of fun and gave me the opportunity to experience something different. One of my favorite experiences was attending a powwow, where I enjoyed the dancing, singing, and the strong sense of community. I also went to a pool party, which was a fun way to relax and spend time with others in the program. To celebrate Canada Day, I watched the fireworks, and it was a great way to end the evening.

One of the best parts of this experience has been meeting people from different places and learning about their cultures and life experiences. It has been interesting to hear everyone’s stories, make new friendships, and create memories together. Every day brings something new, whether it’s learning at my internship or exploring Hamilton and the surrounding area.

As the summer continues, I look forward to meeting even more people, trying new experiences, and learning as much as I can. I hope this opportunity will help me gain a better understanding of the career I want to pursue in the future. Even though I don’t have all the answers yet, I know this experience is helping me grow, become more independent, and build confidence in myself.

I am incredibly grateful to be part of the NYA program and thankful to everyone who has made this opportunity possible, especially my host family and the staff at the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre. This has already been an unforgettable experience, and I am excited to see what the rest of the summer has in store for me.

Hello! My name is Nika Angelique Arrowmaker.M, I’m from Gamètì, Northwest Territories. Which fun fact is one of the four Tłįcho communities located in the NWT. I’ve been staying in Kingston, Ontario for my summer placement with my buddy Addy!

During my time here we’ve been exploring and taking the opportunity to do things independently. At first I was a little lost and didn’t know how I would adjust to being away from home and my dog, but having my host mom Erin support and help me find ways to fill the void was really nice, especially with the help from Arlo (her dog) made everything felt like home.

When I first stepped foot on the plane I didn’t know I was about to experience one of the best trips of my life. There’s something powerful about stepping into places that are unfamiliar. For me, it was realizing how much of the world was out there and wanting to experience it all.

It’s something we must make time to do in our lives. It’s way to easy to get stuck in our routines and flow of life and what we’re used to and what we know. Travel doesn’t just open your eyes, it changes who you are inside, how you see the world, and will literally help you become the best version of yourself.

I work at the Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest where everyone is welcomed and each day you never know how much you can impact people’s life by simply being in their presence.

I love my work because the centre is a place of support and reconnection that offers cultural and western supports, to children, youth, and elders. The centre is a safe place of openness and acceptance for all who wish to learn.

I highly encourage everyone to visit the centre if they are in Kingston! My favourite thing about the centre is the people and how everyone cares for each other no matter their background.

I’ve met some awesome people during my time here, from visiting the local park, exploring the downtown shops, and even talking to pet owners during our walks. Noticing how open everyone is to sharing their stories and letting us pet their pets made every experience here worth sharing.

Despite not being used to travelling alone, figuring out the bus, almost missing the bus, getting off the wrong stop, meeting new people is the kind of life I look forward to!

It’s a privilege to experience and learn other cultures while I’m young and I feel grateful for these kind of opportunities everyday <3

A person from my work said:

“Do something in your day that makes your soul feel alive whether that be your job, a hobby, or even a person, find people around you that wanna light you up and be happy for your successes. Everybody is destined for more.”

Northern Youth Abroad is an amazing start for just the beginning.

My name is Addyson and I’m from Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories. I’m 16 years old and currently on my way to graduating from high school. My sister did Northern Youth Abroad when she was my age and told me I should do it as well. This is a picture one of the NYA staff took while me and my buddy saying goodbye to our friend. She was going on a bus to the airport, and this was the last time we saw her before she left for her host family. We’re all looking forward to sharing stories once we get back for Re-Orientation in a few weeks.

I got to Kingston on June 20th. The squirrels here are MASSIVE compared to the ones back home, and they’re a little scary. I work at Martha’s Table, which is a community food center that offers food and supplies to people who may have little to no access otherwise. My favourite part of working at Martha’s Table is that I get to eat lunch there everyday and get to know the regulars. 

In Kingston I’m staying with my host mom Erin and her dog Arlo. My favourite thing about Arlo must be his annoying younger brother vibe. Me and my host buddy have been going out to the movie theater and watching scary movies. Something I am really looking forward to is getting my new ear piercing next month. I also really like the other people I’ve met through NYA, they are cool beans.

This is Erin’s dog Arlo. He is like an annoying younger brother. He steals food and even my lotion! He barges into my room all the time for cuddles. He’s  annoying, but I love him. I’ve even taken him for walks.