Hello my name is Keira. I am from Cambridge Bay, NU. My Personal Learning Project group was leadership and entrepreneurship. I chose this group as I like to be a leader – such as: helping others, making things happen for people. I like seeing smile’s on people’s faces and I also thought being in this group would be very educational for me.
For my PLP activities our group went to the AFN (Assembly of First Nation) and had interviewed small business owner’s. I have learned a lot with my PLP group and have possibly found out what I would want to do with my career in the future.
My name is Mega Willie Fox. I’m from Arctic Bay, Nunavut. I applied for Northern Youth Abroad Next Program because I wanted to see what the options are for college life and experience living here in Ottawa. I chose this program to see what other career options there are with the college life while living here for careers, and what the other options for many career paths. For example, this program teaches you trades such as carpentry, soldering, welding, demolishing, vanishing, scaffolding, and volunteer work.
My PLP was food and nutrition. We did “Feed the City – West Borne” and “The Ottawa Mission,” feeding the homeless. Serving people food, and delivering on people’s doors. In Ottawa, we stayed here at the Algonquin College Residence. What’s new to me is that you can stay here on campus. About NYA Next is that you do a lot of work that’s new to you, and experience living down here.
It’s been a little hard for me. What’s been overwhelming but I felt halfway through I pushed through and I made it to the end of this program, and I still have every part of this program on my side. If you are still in high school or just finished up high school I recommend NYA Next Program so you can explore your career options and get your career options, so you can choose and get even a lot of experience. You will ever experience how what interests students live. It is everywhere calling to you, but if you’ll push through and get yourself first and grow as a person. I’m satisfied and grateful that I chose this program.
Hi my name is Rowena Kogvik, from Gjoa Haven NU. My PLP (Personal Learning Project) was Culture and Language. My favourite activity that we did was going to the Ghana Fest because I got to try new food that I’ve never tried before and it was amazing. And also listening to their music that they played.
And also going to the museum of history was one of my favourites too because I got to learn about different cultures. From the places that we went to I learnt how they do their culture, where they come from and how they celebrate special events.
I also got to go to NICU at the CHEO Hospital and got to learn about the volunteers, numbers and more. Which was my favourite to do, as it’s my dream job.
Hello, my name is Nigel Timbre, and I’m from Fort Liard Northwest Territories.
At first I was not nervous to go to Ottawa, but when I arrived, I was nervous because I was going to live with people that I didn’t know for 3 weeks, but I was with my friend from my home community so I was not alone.
My favorite activity was going to watch a basketball game. It was fun to watch because the players were very hyped and made the game fun to watch. I wished that I got to watch more games because it inspired me to try to play pro league basketball.
I’m interested in being a carpenter if basketball doesn’t go well for me because I find being a carpenter would be a career I would love to do.
The lesson I would bring back to my community is that it’s ok to step out of your comfort zone.
If I had to say three words to describe my experience: Transformative, Welcoming, Memorable.
Something that I learned about myself is that I’m feel more confident and I’m glad that I stepped out of my comfort zone.
My experience in Ottawa I learned about new culture/traditional foods when I went to the Ghana festival. I liked the music they played when I was trying all the food.
If I wanted to continue learning about a topic I would learn more about the history of my culture.
Something I liked about my Personal Learning Project (PLP) I liked when we went to the Axé summer world fest the music was amazing I felt the music the lyrics
Hey! My name is Preston Rabesca and I’m from a small fly-in community called Wekweeti Snare Lake, NWT.
When I first applied for the NYA Next program, I honestly didn’t think I would get accepted. I was very nervous about the interview because I didn’t want to mess up my chances of being selected. After the interview, knowing the release date for the participant list made the wait feel even longer. I spent almost every day counting down until the list was announced, hoping my name would be on it. When the list finally came out and I saw my name, I felt an overwhelming sense of excitement and accomplishment, it was such a rewarding moment, and I couldn’t wait to begin my journey with NYA.
Regardless of how nervous I was to apply, I’m incredibly grateful that I was accepted. This program has given me so many opportunities that not everyone gets to experience. I’ve explored different parts of Ottawa, visited Parliament, met the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, Rebecca Alty, and even attended my first two live sports events!! NYA has given me more opportunities than I ever could have imagined. But one of the most meaningful parts of this experience has been the people I’ve met along the way. The amazing NYA participants I’ve shared these experiences with have made this journey so special, and I’ll always and forever cherish the memories we created together. I’m going to miss everyone so much, and I will always be grateful to have been part of the NYA Next Program 2026.
NYA Next is unlike any other program I’ve ever been a part of. We’re always busy, whether it’s participating in trade workshops, doing volunteer work, exploring new places, or taking part in different activities. There is rarely a lot of time to slow down and relax, but that is also one of the things that makes this program so special. NYA’s mission of providing education through work and travel truly comes to life through every experience we have.
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This program has definitely challenged me both physically and mentally. There were days when I was so physically exhausted that I didn’t want to get up or do anything because of how tired I felt. There were also days where I felt completely emotionally drained, where simply getting through the day took everything I had. What made those moments difficult was that many people around me didn’t realize I was struggling, because I had become so used to pretending that I was okay.
One of the hardest parts of NYA Next was learning how to stay mentally and emotionally strong while being away from home and trying new things, being social, making connections, and adjusting to such a busy schedule. There were moments where I felt guilty for even struggling at all. I had questioned why I was having a hard time making connections, being social, or coping with the challenges of the program, when I knew I was surrounded by so many amazing people and opportunities. There were days where I wanted to drop everything, step away, and not participate because I felt so overwhelmed.
There were moments where I felt completely alone in my own head, and I convinced myself that no one would understand what I was feeling. But as time went on and I slowly opened up to the other participants, I realized that I wasn’t the only one silently fighting my own battles. I know there may be participants reading this who have felt the same way at some point during this experience with many of us were carrying our own challenges while showing up and still trying our very best.
Even through the challenging moments, NYA Next has given me experiences I will never forget. I’ve learned more about myself, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and created meaningful connections with the people who have made this journey so special. This program has challenged me in ways I never expected, but has also brought so much warmth and happiness into my life. I will always carry these memories, the lessons I’ve learned, and the people I’ve met with me.
My name is Mega Willie Fox. I’m from Arctic Bay, Nunavut. I applied for Northern Youth Abroad Next Program because I wanted to see what the options are for college life and experience living here in Ottawa. I chose this program to see what other career options there are with the college life while living here for careers, and what the other options for many career paths. For example, this program teaches you trades such as carpentry, soldering, welding, demolishing, vanishing, scaffolding, and volunteer work.
And we did “Feed the City – West Borne” and “The Ottawa Mission,” feeding the homeless. Serving people food, and delivering on people’s doors. In Ottawa, we stayed here at the Algonquin College Residence. What’s new to me is that you can stay here on campus. About NYA Next is that you do a lot of work that’s new to you, and experience living down here.
It’s been a little hard for me. What’s been overwhelming but I felt halfway through I pushed through and I made it to the end of this program, and I still have every part of this program on my side. If you are still in high school or just finished up high school I recommend NYA Next Program so you can explore your career options and get your career options, so you can choose and get even a lot of experience. You will ever experience how what interests students live. It is everywhere calling to you, but if you’ll push through and get yourself first and grow as a person. I’m satisfied and grateful that I chose this program.
Hi, my name is Albert Uttak and I’m from Igloolik, Nunavut. With my Host Family I lived in Ottawa, Ontario with Kupaakq, my best friend, during this trip, which has been so amazing. My workplace is at Inuuqatigiit Centre, where I play with toddlers and it’s so much fun!
This is my first time visiting the south. Before I came, I was so nervous, but now I feel more comfortable. My host family was Mariamanda, and we went to Park Omega where I saw a black bear and a brown bear. I’m glad I did NYA because I made new friends.
At Re-Orientation Camp, we visited colleges and universities. I practiced plumbing at a college, and my goal is to become a plumber.
My second official blog! Geez, I wasn’t expecting to be selected again, but here I am making a second blog for NYA. For the first time, I’m in a college dorm. I thought it was going to be more exhausting from what I heard from last year’s participants, but it turns out it isn’t at all. I found it more intriguing, a bit hard but I pushed through.
I got to experience trades, swimming on a beach, and the heat. I checked out universities, went to Nunavut Sivunitsavut, Carleton University, and Algonquin College, and went all over Ottawa. We went to Parliament Hill, Dow’s Lake, and Tunney’s Pasture, went through transit, and volunteered at Mooney’s Bay where we set up nets for volleyball. We went to a trampoline park, checked out the NYA office, and stayed up all night a few times because I didn’t have time to sleep. I came from Nunavut, so I wasn’t used to it getting dark anymore, and I enjoyed the heat more than everyone else. Everyone else complained about the heat, but not me, I missed it. I got tanned, and “I hope you trip and fall” was the most common thing I kept saying.\
Currently, I’m still making a lamp for myself from trades, and I got to use a jackhammer last week. It became one of my major interest, I want to become a Demolitionist and Restoration Worker. I didn’t think I’d love it, but it turns out I did. I also learned arc welding, pipe fitting, soldering, and crane signalling. Some were easier than I thought. I learned that the bus will never be on time in Ottawa. We also went to watch an actual soccer game and a football game, and watched the practice the day before. It turns out the Winnipeg Bombers were going to win , I hoped they did because I made a bet with one of my right-hand men, Joseph Koonoo, and guess what! I won an easy $25, lol. I also got better at time management.
I recommend the program if you’re really into trades, college lifestyle, and high standards. It isn’t for the weak, but you’ll adjust to it, the whole group will support you with everything. I missed the staff and went to the program again with a few of my alumni, which I was really happy about. We’re going to be going to Toronto again for re-orientation and meeting Canadian program participants. I actually quit weed because of this program, and I’m really proud of myself for quitting. If it wasn’t for NYA, I wouldn’t have been interested in trades, now I’m thinking of becoming a Demolitionist and Restorationist. I really hope everyone succeeds in this program! I don’t know what to say anymore, but thanks for reading!
Hii! My name is Trisha Killiktee and I am from Pond Inlet, Nunavut.
The population is approximately 1,780.
During the summer of 2025, I participated in NYA Canadian program and I was placed in Sussex Corner, New Brunswick which was really awesome! You can go read my blog from NYA website. I also got to reunite with three other participants who I met during the Canadian program.
I am happy I got to experience the NYA 2026 Next program!! Despite the heat and how busy the schedule was, I enjoyed it so much. We went to different types of trades such as carpentry, plumbing, welding, etc. In carpentry, we made lanterns for ourselves.
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The first few weeks I got really overwhelmed and wanted to go home but I overcame it with the support from the project leaders and the other participants🤍 My favourite thing about this program is the Personal Learning Project (PLP); my PLP was sports and rec. With this project, I went kayaking, pilates, and working out with a trainer. We also went to the Rapids soccer game and RedBlacks football game, although I didn’t understand what was going on during the football game, I cheered for RedBlacks (probably blue bombers too lol).
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I’m glad that I got to explore Ottawa before moving here for Nunavut Sivuniksavut – This experience is really helping me adapt to the city. I recommend youth from Nunavut and Northwest Territories to apply for this program! Meeting new friends and creating a strong bond between them is one of my favourite!
A big shout out goes to the project leaders and the NYA staff for working hard for the participants and supporting them 24/7!!
