My name is Edie Rabesca, and I’m from Behchoko, Northwest Territories, which is also known as Rae-Edzo. Behchoko has the largest First Nations population in the NWT. It’s a place surrounded by lakes and stunning forests, but its greatest feature is a community united by language and culture. This summer, I’m participating in the NYA 2025 Canadian Program, something I’ve dreamed of for a while. Although I didn’t get in last year, I was accepted this year after completing my winter assignments. I am so blessed and thankful for this opportunity.

This summer, I was placed in Windsor, Ontario. When I first arrived, everything felt so big and loud compared to home. The heat was different, the streets were busy, and I felt like a tiny fish in a huge pond. We went to Niagara Falls, Point Pelee and the beach, we ate so much amazing food like Greek, Asian, Filipino, Indian and so much more.

I am volunteering at Hesman Athletics, which specializes in fitness training and overall wellness. On top of the gym benefits, they have all kinds of health professionals like naturopathic doctors, physiotherapists, and massage therapists, trainers who help people feel their best. The people there are so welcoming and supportive, and I’m learning a lot about how physical health, mental health, and healing all connect. Although I love helping people and learning new things, the first two weeks were some of the most challenging weeks I’ve experienced. I missed seeing my family, listening to my native language, the familiar scent of the lake and the quiet yet calm feeling of the bush. Some nights, I’d lie awake feeling alone, wondering if I could really do this.

However, things started to get better as time went on. My placement buddy, Millie-Anna from Baker Lake, Nunavut, has been like a light in the dark. We talk and laugh about silly things, explore the city, and try new foods together. One of my favourite memories is when two other participants who were placed in Windsor came over for dinner, and we were all playing with the hose. It was so cold that it kind of felt like home for a moment. We were all laughing so hard that my stomach felt sore, and we all fell to the ground. We had so much fun.

Orientation week helped me feel less alone. We went swimming, attended workshops, and met all the other participants, learning about their way of life. My host family has been incredibly kind, checking in on me and making sure I’m okay. Even though I still have moments where I miss home, I’ve started to see Windsor as a place where I’m growing stronger every day.

Working at Hesman Athletics has taught me patience and empathy. Some days are still challenging, but I remind myself that I’m here to learn, not just about my job, but about myself. This experience has shown me how resilient I can be, even when I’m far away from everything familiar. I’ve realized that being homesick doesn’t mean I’m weak; it means I love my home deeply. But it also means I’m brave enough to leave it for a little while so I can learn new things and bring those skills back with me to share.

To anyone thinking of joining NYA, it’s not always easy. You’ll probably miss home, and there will be days when you wonder why you came. But you’ll discover new sides of yourself, meet people who might become lifelong friends, and come back stronger and more confident than you ever thought possible.

Overall, NYA isn’t just about volunteering or travelling. It’s about becoming someone who believes in their own strength. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I’m excited to see what the rest of the summer will teach me.

Hello, My name is Colleen Jar. I am from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, and I am seventeen years old. I am here on a program called Northern Youth Abroad, Canadian Program, and I am placed in Hamilton, Ontario, as my host community.

My placement buddy’s name is Alooq, and we are hosted by a mom with two little girls. I adore them, and they adore my placement buddy and me. Hamilton is known as ‘Steel City’ because of all the industrialization here, having a lot of manufacturing buildings. So far, I am loving it here. I have learned how to use the bus and train system, how to have more tolerance of the humid, hot weather, and how to plan things ahead of time. I have also learned how to distinguish the difference between trash, recycling and composting.

My work placement is Niwasa Kendaaswin Teg, and I love it here. Everyone is so kind and understanding, and I get to spend time with children by playing with them and having lunch with them while also supervising them. I have learned some new recipes in the kitchen while also keeping it clean, how to cook and cut certain things, and how to organize them for the children. In the classrooms, I usually spend time with the preschoolers and toddlers. They are so adorable, always so curious and little. I have learned how to talk with and treat children, and how to prepare food properly for them to eat, and what to do when they have their meltdowns. I have also learned about other Indigenous cultures, languages, and ways here in Hamilton, especially because of my workplace.

So far, I have gone to Niagara Falls, London, Manitoulin Island, and Crawford Lake, and Toronto. I have had fun in all places, having been shopping, swimming, and long car rides.

Niagara Falls, Ontario
London, Ontario
Manitoulin Island, Ontario
Toronto, Ontario
Crawford Lake, Ontario

In the end, I am hoping to build long-lasting friendships and connections with others and have had some cultural exchange during my time on the program. So far, it is going well, so I am very excited to see how it goes.

Hi, my name is Rebecca Black. I’m from Gameti, Northwest Territories. Gameti is located in the North Slave Region, specifically between Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes. 

I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in Northern Youth Abroad (NYA) in 2025. This is my third time being here. I completed the Next program in 2023 and also participated in the Youth In-Service. Over the years, I’ve met past and present participants, whom I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to meet.

This summer, I was placed in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s my first time being here in the city, experiencing new things and stepping out of my comfort zone. I got to explore a little bit while walking to my workplace. So far, it has been great! I’ve travelled to other Provinces before, but never in Nova Scotia.

My host mom, Michelle, has been amazing from the start, when I arrived. She supported me during these past weeks and helped me work on my assignments. She has three cats that are now mine for the summer. Their names are Gracie, Mango and Taro. Taro was a menace from the start. I’m volunteering at Parker Street, the Food and Furniture Bank. Where I learn from staff members and organize the food and bagging items. The people of Parker Street are truly kind and supportive of me while I work there. I didn’t get lost while riding the bus, only once, at the beginning when I started my placement. 

These past few weeks have flown by so quickly that I can barely recall the time I spent here. I’m glad I got to spend this time with my host buddy Cadence Arnatsiaq, who is from Igloolik, Nunavut. We went mini-golfing at Halifax Putting Edge with my host mom’s friend’s daughter, who was very kind to take us. And so far, we’ve gone to Peggy’s Cove, where we met up with other participants, Mitchell and Joey. We also attended a Powwow together with an alumnus and a past participant. And went on a few BBQs. I went Kayaking in a lake. It was fun, but not when I dropped my paddle in the middle of the lake.

We went on a road trip to Prince Edward Island (PEI). Michelle took us to the Sandspit amusement park, where we met up with other participants. I really enjoyed going on the rides and having a great time there! I tried lobster and oysters for the first time at Fisherman’s Wharf Lobster Suppers. I gotta say, oysters are not my favourite. 

We recently took another road trip to Cape Breton. I got to see the Atlantic Ocean while hiking on the Skyline Trail, located at the top of a mountain. We also went whale watching, but didn’t really get to see any, but I did see seals. It was an amazing experience to have seen it in real life! Back home, we really don’t have any. 

Cadence and I got to drive the boat for a little bit. It was overwhelming because of the waves, but it was kinda fun! I’d like to go back someday. 

If it weren’t for my mentor, who has been helping me to prepare for this program. I wouldn’t get to experience my summer living on the east coast of Canada. One of the best memories I’ll cherish forever.

Rebecca<3

Hi! My name is Catherine Pudlat. I am 15 years old. I am from Kinngait, Nunavut. For the past five weeks, I was placed in Milton, Ontario. I was placed with my host buddy Ava Qaunaq; she’s from Grise Fiord, which is really cool. I get along with her very well. And I’m very happy to have met her and consider her one of my friends. Sometimes we talk for a while without even realizing it. And laugh a lot when everyone is sleeping. My host parents are very nice people and very welcoming. Their names are Lisa and Michael. (My dad’s name is also Michael lol).

They have 2 sons who are also very nice people. They also have a very adorable dog named Roo. But I call her rhubarb. Ava nicknamed her that. I had lots of fun down here. Mostly in Toronto. I went to the CN Tower for the first time. It was so cool. But I was a little nervous at first. We also did some shopping in our first week here. Ava, my host mom Lisa, and I have also been watching the Star Wars movies; it’s fun to watch, and I highly recommend it. I also rented a guitar and had 2 lessons at the House of Chords. I had an awesome teacher named Cameron, who is so cool. She is the best teacher and friend, even though we only met twice. We are also planning to go to Canada’s Wonderland, which is exciting. I volunteered at the Art Center’s day camp, and it was a lot of fun. I get to play games, learn and talk to the kids.

I met many nice people during my work placement. And I’m very lucky to call them my friends. I had the pleasure of working with them. Lastly, I would like to thank NYA for providing me with the opportunity to participate in this program and for believing in my abilities. And to my family for allowing me to go down south for the summer, and for helping me with the fundraising. And to people who donated in my community. And to my mentor, Peter, for helping me with my winter assignments. And my host family for welcoming me and Ava, two strangers to their home. And to my supervisor, Sherry, for taking me in. And thank you all for reading my blog/reading my yapping. Bye 🙂

Sincerely,

Catherine Pudlat 

I don’t know where to start, but here’s blog #1 today. Mitchell (my placement buddy) and I, with Natalie, went to the waterfront and saw the blue nose off the bat. It was pretty cool, and we also touched the Atlantic Ocean for the first time! It was cold, but a pretty good experience. We saw ferries and we saw a “battleship” while we were at it! We also went to Peace by Chocolate, it’s a chocolate store from Syria, saw new places, Mitch and I were astonished, mesmerized, plus I was really warm the first day, we couldn’t stop sweating.

Blog #2, it’s our second day here, and I slept so long, which was weird. We also went to Peggy’s Cove to see new things, we went with Michelle, Cadence and Rebecca. We were all amazed, and we took so many pictures. It was Cadence and my dream to go here; we were overjoyed about it. The view was honestly amazing – we couldn’t stop smiling about it! After that, we went home, and I played games to chill. We saw cool old-school cars and modern supercars; our jaws dropped out of amazement.

Blog #3 once upon a day we had a lazy day cause it was a Sunday lol, it was also rainy so we didn’t know what to do, easy day honestly, actually felt rested and relaxed, me and Mitch also did the dishes, also had a self-care day, I couldn’t wait for what’s to come tomorrow, think this is it for the day, I’ll come back tomorrow!

Blog #4 eeeee so excited for today!!! Our first Monday here!! Our first day as volunteers, and so we also made plans for what we’re gonna do for the next few days, SEEING MARISA TOMORROW!!! I CAN’T WAITTT, AHHHH, but today was fun overall. Mitch and I watched a show called North of North, and it had a lot of drama. Natalie went to her son’s baseball game, and Mitch and I took care of the house, getting used to waking up early.

Hey, today’s day 5 for blogging. Today at work, I had fun sorting flashcards. I saw Marisa! Anikan and Mackenzie, too, and we went ziplining! It was so much fun. I myself went to the Halifax shopping centre, bought things with my personal money, and we also went to McDonald’s. We had fries and a drink. We also saw a Corvette (which is my dream car), a Mustang, and a Tesla. It was really warm cause I was wearing all black. Today, I missed my Cousin (Peyton) and some of my friends from Iqaluit, too, but overall, it was fun! I also went roller skating and went biking at the oval!

#6 Today, I went shopping and thrifting with my buddy, saved some money, and it was a fun day. However, I woke up feeling sluggish and went to bed like a zombie. Today, Mitch, Natalie, and I saw a Lamborghini in person; it was really cool.

Today marks blog #7. During lunch, I visited the Halifax Shopping Centre and Dollarama, where I bought a few things as usual. Thought of Ryan today, had lunch after work, we went thrifting. I really enjoyed today, the weather was cool too, which I was happy about. We also did some inventory at work; it was fun, but confusing for me, as I got mixed up here and there. I really admired the weather; sometimes I would think, ‘How would the people see me?’ Some would think of me as a bad influence, or someone they can look up to and rely on, who was really thinking about life, but ultimately moved past it; that’s all for the whole thing. P.S. Joey Simonie, take care!

Hi, my name is Leanne Panika. I am from Whale Cove, Nunavut. The population is about 450. I could say I enjoyed every bit of the trip. There were ups and downs, but I knew I could do it. One thing I want to say is that I’m incredibly proud of myself for overcoming this experience. And most of all, this journey is for you, Steven, and I hope I’m making you proud. 

 My buddy’s name is Trisha; she’s from Pond Inlet, Nunavut, and I have to gush about her. She’s been my rock, my confidante, and my partner-in-crime. Whether we’re exploring new places or just hanging out, she always knows how to make me laugh and feel comfortable. Her support means the world to me, especially when I’m missing home. She’s always there to lend an ear, offer a hug, or just be a comforting presence. Our adventures to the Sandspit and glow-in-the-dark mini golf are memories I’ll cherish forever, but it’s her unwavering support that truly stands out.  

Stepping into my host family’s home felt like stepping into a warm embrace. From day one, their welcoming nature turned a potentially scary experience into an amazing adventure. It’s more than just a place to stay; it’s a home filled with laughter, shared stories, and genuine connection. I’m so thankful for the love and connection I’ve found here. My host family has shown me the true meaning of hospitality, and the memories we’re making will last a lifetime. This isn’t just a chapter in my life; it’s a story of finding a home away from home.

Prince Edward Island with my host family was an absolute blast! Sandspit’s rides and games were a ton of fun, but the mini golf was where the real competition started – lots of laughs and cheers made it unforgettable. Also, seeing Katrina Dagon and her kids was a highlight, but running into my old teacher made the trip even more special. Catching up in a new place added so much joy, as we shared stories and reminisced about old times. It reminded me of the impact teachers have on our lives. The bravest of all, my host parents and I went into the haunted house, which was terrifying, but we laughed.

Nova Scotia was an incredible experience from start to finish! The ferry ride over was so scenic and relaxing, the perfect way to kick off the trip. The fresh sea air and beautiful views made it a journey to remember. Peggy’s Cove was absolutely breathtaking. The iconic lighthouse perched on the rugged coastline was even more stunning in person than in photos. I spent hours exploring the rocks and snapping pictures, trying to capture the magic of the place. The quaint village nearby was also charming, with its colourful houses and friendly locals. The boardwalk was lively and full of energy. With great views of the harbour, cool shops, and plenty of tasty treats, it was the perfect place to spend a morning/afternoon. The most unforgettable highlight is seeing Brad Marchand’s old house in NS! lol

Hello, my name is Hannah Bekale. I’m 17 years old, and I’m from Gameti NT, which is also known as Rae Lakes. The population is probably under 300 people. I wanted to join NYA to experience what it’s like outside of my hometown and to explore the city’s different opportunities that my hometown doesn’t offer. There are many things and opportunities I want to try when I’m young, so I can figure out what I want to do in the future as I get older. I remember my teacher saying, “You don’t want a job you don’t enjoy, or you’ll be miserable doing it. So, you want a job that’s for you and something you enjoy.” I had the chance to experience what I liked and did not like during my visit here in Ottawa, Nepean.

The first or second week, I was debating if I should go home because I was scared I would get homesick and just not eat anything or do anything but thanks to my lovely host family and my placement buddy, they made me feel welcome and at home that I did not want to go home at all. To me, they are not called “host family” and “placement buddy,” they are my family now as they welcome me with open arms, comfort, laughter, love, connection and making me feel like I belong. I wasn’t really use to getting up so early, going to work on time, being adventurous and always on my feet or just always busy in general like all of it was just new to me but it was also a good thing because it made days go by faster, it made me less homesick, it made me busy and active which at home, I would of stayed in bed and do nothing at all. After all of that, I began to realize that it’s good for me to have a schedule and plan out the week, staying busy all the time.

I will forever be thankful for this amazing opportunity, as it has helped me become more productive, mindful, and develop a better mindset, schedule, leadership skills, socialization, and communication skills. I believe I set most of these goals before I came here. Thanks to the NYA program for selecting me as a participant and helping me realize how blessed I am. I’m also grateful to realize I can set goals for myself, aim towards them, and achieve them. I never thought about going to university or college after I am done high school like I was thinking small and just stay in a small community but now, I want to go to college or university and live in the city which I also want to have a job to help kids or people have opportunities I had growing up and be better for them. I also want to work for natural environment resources or just on-the-land monitoring to learn about my hometown and my culture, which our elders call “Our way of life,” and that is important to me. Ever since I went on the land programs growing up, I knew I wanted to have a job that involves being on land.

I did some volunteering at a winner’s day camp for a week, which I loved and love working with kids from time to time! I also volunteered at this program called the Academy of Martial Arts, and I love it since it is similar to wrestling (I do wrestling and will be competing in the Canada Summer Games). We played with the kids, engaging in a variety of activities. We go to the park every day, and we practice every morning. It warms my heart to hear a laugh from one of the kids, knowing they’re having fun and enjoying their time at martial arts, just as I did. I had many different opportunities staying here, which so far, the couple of activities I enjoyed with my host family are going to the beach, a powwow, and rockhounding, hiking, glow-in-the-dark mini golfing, Parc Omega, kayaking, Calypso theme waterpark and stand-up water paddling.

My old principal encouraged me to sign up for NYA, and I was surprised to be selected from over 200 applicants from NWT and Nunavut. I’m thankful to have been chosen for these amazing opportunities! I will never forget this opportunity and the memories I made with my host family and my friend. I strongly encourage those interested in the NYA program to apply, as it offers an awesome and great opportunity to experience things your hometown may not have. I’m having a great time, thanks to my host family, NYA staff, my friend, and others for welcoming me. I am blessed and grateful to be here.

Masi Cho for reading,

Hannah

Hi! My name is Alooq Tagoona, and I am from Baker Lake, Nunavut. I have travelled here to Hamilton, Ontario, and my work placement is at Indwell – Parkdale Landing. I work in the kitchen preparing meals for residents at our location.

Before arriving in Hamilton, I was nervous because I was told that this city is rough and a dangerous place to be, but as I settled in and got to go places, I soon realized it’s not all that bad here. Everyone at my workplace and general public areas, have all been kind and helpful.

During my time with NYA I have made many friends who I will always remember, it’s great to meet new people and make new memories. I’ve also taken time to learn to have an open mindset towards others and myself. I’ve become more confident in speaking in front of audiences and doing things independently.

And I’ve got lost in the city because I got on the wrong bus! It was kinda funny though lol. I called my colleague, and she sent someone to go get me. And hey! Mistakes happen, and it’s okay because it provided a valuable learning opportunity for me as I got to know the city more. That experience taught me how to stay calm in similar situations.

Thanks to my host family, I have had the opportunity to travel through many towns and cities, including Toronto, London, Brampton, and Sudbury, on our way to our 5-day vacation on Manitoulin Island. And luckily for me, I’ve got to celebrate my birthday on the island! We’ve also got to spend the evening in Niagara Falls and “feel the wonder” of the Great Falls.

In conclusion, living down South made me realize that there are a lot of possibilities and a lot of things I could be; it has given me an idea of who I want to be and more reasons to push myself to become more. It has also given me the desire to keep going and keep exploring, and as a small-town kid, this is really important, and NYA can help with that! I highly encourage youth to apply to this program; it has left a positive impact on my life, and I hope sharing my experience has encouraged you to try it out too.

Hey, my name is Sydney McLeod, and I am from Aklavik NWT. When I first found out about the program, I was hesitant at first, but I decided to sign up anyway because of all the fun stories I was told by one of my friends who went to last year’s program.

When I found out I was selected to go, I was excited and nervous at the same time. I didn’t know what to expect when I first signed up, but thanks to the help from my teacher and the NYA staff, there was nothing to worry about. The only time I was worried was when I was left behind in some of my assignments due to my being out on the land, but the NYA staff are very flexible when it comes to handing in assignments, so I didn’t have to worry too much. 

When I first found out I was being placed in Winnipeg I was a bit nervous because I didn’t know anything about Winnipeg, But thanks to my amazing host family I had nothing to worry about. When we first met them, we didn’t know what to expect, but once we met them, they were very welcoming. Christine and her family are very nice, and she has tons of experience hosting people from around the world. It’s like a home away from home.

My work placement is also like a home away from home. When I first found out I was going to be working in a deli and doing a lot of food prep, I wasn’t too excited, but after a while, I got used to it and started to like it a bit more, but not enough to go to school for a culinary degree. Everyone I’ve worked with has been nice and very helpful when I’m unsure what to do. They always find something for me to do when I finish what I was doing.

Another thing is that NYA is really good with placement buddies. My placement buddy is Kyrie, and I say we get along really well. So far, we’ve been exploring the city a lot. The very first week we were here, we were walking around downtown and we found a really cool bookstore (picture below), the next week we also went to explore the Forks Market. And found a lot of cool things. We also got to go see the Rock of Ages play/concert. The next week, we also went to a cat cafe.

Long story short, I’m having a lot of fun thanks to Christine and her family, Kyrie and especially NYA for letting me have this experience! If you’re hesitant to sign up, don’t be; you might regret it.