Hi, I’m Kerrianna Lafferty, and I was placed in Hamilton Ontario for the summer. I started work about the fourth day I was there, taking the bus every morning for the past three weeks now. I’ve never had to take the public transit before -so that was very different. Being in the city was sort of what I expected, nothing was really out of the ordinary for me. But -I’ve never lived in the city before so that was an eye opener. My work placement was volunteering to help at the summer camp at the Art Gallery of Hamilton, I had to wake up early, usually around the same time you would for school.

Kerrianna enjoying herself at Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto.

I had to catch the bus to be at work by 8:30. The job included helping with supervision, playing with the kids, and helping prepare some activities and even cleaning up after. It was fun. I learned a lot about the art works that sat on the walls, and the sculptures that covered the place. On my fourth week working I had to change my work placement. So I had to memorize a new route on the opposite side of the city. But I quickly learned my way there and back, most of the streets I already memorized. My second work placement was at a recreational centre. It was abruptly different. I really had to accommodate myself to this place. But I’m slowly getting there. I know there’s always gonna be ups and downs. The whole ordeal of being homesick, and adapting to a new environment, but it’s the way you handle it. That changes your view. During the past few weeks we did all sorts of things. Traveling to Toronto and Stratford, to Lakefield and to many of the towns we passed through. It was a great experience to see the top of the CN tower, looking at jellyfishes and sharks at the Ripley aquarium, peddling row boats and feeding ducks and birds that aren’t afraid to come close to you at all.

Kerrianna uses a paddle boat to glide on the Avon River in Stratford.

We also did things when we didn’t go out of the city. watching Netflix, and playing boardgames at the house. Going to the shopping malls and movie theatres, going bike riding, eating out and exploring the city. The whole experience really give me a fresh outlook of a city life and knowledge that I definitely wouldn’t had got from my community. I really feel like I have personally changed. Maybe not drastically, more of a subtle distinction. But it definitely directed me to the direction I’ve been trying find. So I’m glad that I did this. That I applied to NYA, so this is a Thank you. To everyone really, the whole NYA staff, my host parents Sara and Roy, my mentor Karen. For making this. Almost. Life changing. In a way. I’m really grateful for being a participant.

Dear fellow readers,

My name is Christopher Canadien and I’m from Fort Providence NT. I was a Canadian participant in 2015 and was placed in Bear River, Nova Scotia. My work placement was in another town 10mins away, and my name placement buddy was Dalton Takazo. During the NYA Next program I got to tour the other Algonquin campus that is placed in Pembroke, which is an hour and a half away outside of Ottawa. NYA open my eyes about life and my career options.

Chris (right) plays Table Tennis with Canadian Program Participant Adam during NYA’s Orientation Camp. (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)

As part of NYA Next in groups of four we had to plan and lead group activities and also plan a meal and cook for the group. These exercises taught us skills like how to budget. The group activities budget was 200$ and the food budget was 100$.

During our first weekend here we went camping at Fitzroy provincial park, when we first got there it was raining hard and we also put up the tents in the rain. The first night a mouse went into Jenn and Sherifa’s tent and took our food. The following day we rented a canoe and a kayak and went to the beach. The camping was really different than I was used to, we bought wood, there was electricity and even a store (lol). On the last day everyone was eager to go home (back to Algonquin College).

In conclusion NYA next in an amazing program and hopefully they do this program in the future.

Yours truly,

Chris

Hey everyone!

Well, my name is Saveah Ilgok and I am from Kugluktuk, Nunavut. I completed my Canadian phase in 2015 and I was placed in Saint John, NB. Thanks for starting to read my blog. I am a participant for Northern Youth Abroad Next 2016. Northern Youth Abroad has given the opportunity of so many things, I feel more confident about myself and a brighter future ahead of me. Well, I moved to the residence of Algonquin College on the 7th of July. During the first week in Algonquin, we had the opportunity to tour the campus and learn about the courses, from that tour I now know what I want to become after my high school education nothing is stopping me from pursuing my dreams of who I want to become.

Saveah shows off her Nunavut pride at an Ottawa Champions baseball game during NYA’s Orientation Camp in Ottawa. (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)

Our group did 3 presentations to 3 different groups, and I had the amazing opportunity to tell the people of Ottawa about my home community; the land, population, and activities to do. We also did a mock trial with an organization called Dare to Dream that teaches about law and my role was a 12 year old boy named “Jarred” and I was the victim. We also did an activity and sessions with the firefighting association and the police at the Algonquin College.

We went to a baseball game on the 2nd of July. We also got surprised from one of the funders for NYA, TD Bank donated us VIP tickets to a soccer game on the 30th of July. I’ll be going to Toronto on the 7th of August and I will be going to a BLUE JAYS BASEBALL GAME!!! I am so excited, so family and friends watch the game because there will be a Nunavut Flag in that stadium.

Thank you for reading my blog. Enjoy your day where ever you are.

James laughs with fellow NYA Next Participant Cait while playing volleyball at Algonquin College Residence. (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)

Hi my name is James Koomak from Arviat, NU. I completed the Canadian Phase back in 2011 and was placed in Windsor, ON; volunteered at Canada South Science Centre. I’m very happy to be participating for NYA’s newest program called NEXT.

Firstly, we arrived to Algonquin College residence on July 8th straight from the camp and we are staying here for the month. We were training construction class for 4 weeks and we assembled a picture frame with 4 different joints and then made dog shelters with different angles. I really enjoyed the construction class because I got to know how to measure different angles, how to use the power tools and anything related to construction. I really like living here at the residence because it’s close to the Campus and the stores. The staff members are so welcoming and there is almost everything inside the residence such as an exercise room, several laundry rooms, kitchens and convienence store.

We did a lot of cultural and traditional exchanges with many different types of people around Ottawa including African and Syrian immigrants. The people were very excited to share thier knowledge of their cultures and traditions. Each and every presentation is momentous to me because it was my first time getting to know different cultures and traditions from other sides of the world.

I really enjoyed when we went to a baseball game, soccer game, and to the northern lights show at the Parliament Hill as a group because we made some memories together. Most importantly, I’m glad that we got to be taught about the Judicial System around Canada wether it’s Federal, Provincial/Territorial or Municipal to be prepared for it.

Emily (left) explores Powell River with Placement Buddy Julie (middle) and fellow Participant Mahasi (right).

Hi my name is Emily Kakkee and I’m from Grise Fiord, NU. I was placed in Powell River, BC and it’s very beautiful here. I love the trees and the weather here. When I first went to Ottawa I had to travel alone which was scary because I never done that before. I am working at the BC SPCA I love it there since I get to be with animals. At the SPCA there is a lot of cleaning to do but it’s worth it by being with the animals and meeting new people.

I got to see amazing things I never get to see in Grise Fiord like going to logger sports with my placement buddy Julie we also got to go blueberry picking and plum picking which was exciting. I got to go hiking at a beach trail which was amazing. I loved seeing new things I never got to see and after the hike we went to play mini golf which was fun. I can’t wait to go home and tell everyone about my time at NYA.

Shannon at NYA’s Orientation in Ottawa. (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)

Hello. My name is Shannon Green, I am from Paulatuk, Northwest Territories. I am spending my summer in Truro, Nova Scotia. When I first applied for this program I didn’t expect it to be this amazing, I expected it to be about just working and living with different people for the summer. It is so much more than that. I’ve gotten to see things I haven’t seen before, go to places I’ve never been, try new foods, and meet people I know I won’t forget. Getting out of my comfort zone was hard but I did it (I wasn’t much of a people person) sometimes I did it without even noticing. It has helped me gain good work experience, meet new one of a kind people, learn new things, what its like to live in the south, and to find my voice.

Having an experience like this is a once in a lifetime thing, I am thankful and grateful to have this opportunity, it will help me so much with my future, when I reach my goal I will think back on all the memories I’ve made on this trip because I know it’ll put a smile on my face. I hope I could do this again next year. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the NYA staff for making this all possible. (Quyunainni)

My name is Jayme Nerysoo from Fort McPherson, NT. A population of 1000 people I think. This summer I am placed in Kitchener, Ontario and volunteering at THE MUSEUM with other volunteers in a summer camp for kids ages 4-12 years old. Each week I work with different ages of kids. My host family is Eldon and Carol Binkley and their dog Jackson. My host buddy is Joan Lafferty. They are very kind people. My host parents are very welcoming, kind, and nice.

Jayme takes a swing during one of her weekly baseball games.

So far during my stay here in Kitchener it was a great experience for me. The heat is so humid and way hotter than back home. So far I went camping almost every weekend. I went to Niagara Falls and experienced the falls, which was something everyone should see some day. We went to the Toronto Blue Jays game, which was so fun and exciting. Sadly, they lost to a close game of 2-1. I also went to the Ripley’s Aquarium, that was something to see; all the different kinds of fishes, sharks, jellyfish, and you know, the other things you see in an aquarium hahaha. Me and my host buddy went to Canada’s Wonderland which was so much fun, we went on so many scary rides. We went on a ride called “Extreme Sky Flyer” it’s on of Canada’s largest free falling swings. On the Sky Flyer we control our own ride experience by pulling the ripcord and initiating a 153 foot fall. I guess me and Joan went on it and I pulled the cord, as we were going in the air and Joan was telling me a story, half-way through her story I pulled the cord and all I heard from her after that was nothing but screaming LOL. Eldon plays baseball every Tuesday in a baseball league. I played one night and the next week I WAS going to watch but ended up playing again. Now I’ll play every Tuesday until I go back home. I’m having a real good time so far and am real excited for reorientation in Ottawa to see everyone from orientation again.

Hi my name is Dallas Thom and I am from Fort Providence, Northwest Territories. I was placed in Port Alberni, BC. I found a lot of things are different than back home, like 10x the people we have back home and buildings have lots of storeys. Port Alberni is very warm, it can get up to 30+ as where I live it gets up to around 25+ so it’s kinda not that different in temperature wise. Although it can get very very rainy here.

Dallas pays close attention during Summer Orientation. (Photo Credit: Thorsten Gohl)

My host parents are Sarah Williams and Rob Campbell, they are very nice people- both outgoing and welcoming. I like everything about them. My work placement is “Stepping Stones”, it’s a daycare and I love working there and being with the kids. I usually play with the kids and read to them, and other stuff like help clean up and prepare for lunch and etc. We usually go places every weekend like Nanaimo, Victoria, Coombs and we just went camping this past weekend with our host family, which was pretty fun cause I got to go kayaking and we went swimming In the lake. I think the best part about Port Alberni is that it’s right beside Coombs and why is that the best part? Cause Coombs has the best ice cream in the world   Also I love NYA. The program is amazing. The people you meet and places you get to go, the staff is pretty cool too. They are all funny and chill 

My awesomely weird blog,

Uhhh Hey, everybody… its me, Bradley. OH!! Umm… My name is Bradley Blackduck from Gameti, NWT and… to be honest I have no idea what to write so I’ll just write what I feel about this program, how I’ve gained new experiences along the way and some what of my life and my placement was last year in Osgoode, ON during my NYA Canadian phase.

Osgoode was great, and I worked at a camp called Rideau Hill Camp for my job placement. I was able to work with children, kids and teenagers throughout my summer.

First of all, I wasn’t to sure about this new NYA Next program because there were participants from last year going and I haven’t really talked to anyone from last year, more like I didn’t really make any friends, but I did make a couple. Ever since orientation camp, I was able to become friends with some of those from last year which I’m a little glad for, because there are some really awesome people here. Ill stop talking about myself… I am however glad that I out of all the other people who applied, I got picked for whatever reason! I am grateful they picked me though, because of that I was able to break out of my shell and make new friends. I was able to gain new self confidence I never knew I had within myself. I’ve also learned that I love being lost in the city by myself, feeling the rush of the city! Because of that I started to call myself a city person but I don’t intend to forget about my culture because I feel like I can try to help my community from a distance.

NYA has given me the ability to see the opportunities ahead for myself, I can finally see that I want to do three main things in my life… first of all, becoming a voice for the different native kids who are afraid to speak out for themselves because they feel uncomfortable or just afraid of their opinions being heard. Secondly, I want to study the roots of my people to discover… who I am as a whole person, to rediscover my people’s culture, to become more involved with my culture, and to accept myself for who I am. Lastly, and which I am really shy about I want to become a theatre actor or just an actor in general, because I love being the centre of attention but I also hate being the centre of attention, its really a love and hate thing going on there! But I am determined to become the SECOND famous native actor or the FIRST Tlicho actor in the world!!

It was only with NYA I became aware of my options for what I want to do. I’m hoping to apply for some colleges in Vancouver, Yukon, and Ottawa for the things I want to do! But I guess I shouldn’t hope right? The only one who can apply is myself but.. I’m scared of what’s next.. I’m scared of the next big step in my life! No one is stopping me but myself right now. I know I can do this! I have my family who supports me, my wonderful friends who has my back with every choice I make, and the staff of NYA whenever I need someone to talk with. I will apply for colleges and I will get in.. and I will thrive on the success I make! Or I will crash and burn on the path I take.

And.. my conclusion! NYA is a great program because it gives northern kids from Nunavut or the NWT the chance to see that there are opportunities to learn more about themselves, their culture, or there is more to life than just living in a small community with their parents or grandparents. I’ve set out new goals and dreams for myself! I will find the voice within myself! I will learn to speak out for the things I think are wrong within the NWT! I will learn to become a voice for the native kids who are scared of coming out because they fear the hate they might take, the abuse from their community, and/or being kicked out for being their true selves. My dream is that my people stop drinking so much because they have a family at home but they don’t love because they were never loved as a child. I want to help my people, I want to help heal my people’s past.

Bradley Blackduck,

Signing off.