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.