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.