I’m Shanelle Angutingunirk from Kugaaruk Nunavut and I’m 18 years old.
I was placed in York Ontario, basically Toronto. I was a NYA participant/alternate for a few years, I was finally able to travel in 2023, first trip was for Northern Youth in Service, I have met the awesome staff and also made such amazing connections with the other participants. The second trip is Northern Youth Abroad, got to see some similar faces and new friends.

Orientation was fantastic, despite the weather, it is very different from Nunavut. Throughout my time in orientation, I got to represent my community, play games, swimming and prepare for my time in Toronto.

It is such an amazing and interesting city, a lot of different places to go and a lot of different cultures. My work placement is at the Royal Ontario Museum, I could have not gone through it alone without my buddy Lydia Judas, my instructor Leslie McCue and the amazing staff. I am the first Inuk on the ROM team.

First of all, I want to thank my host parents Darcie and Alex for having me stay in their home with their two kids, River and Jasper. The moments we had together was incredible. They have been so welcoming and helpful.

Since the ROM is located more south of Toronto, I got to learn how to use the buses, subways and the maps, which is a very big accomplishment for me since I will be going for college in another city.

It takes approximately 40-50 minutes to get to work from my host parents house. I am working for the indigenous learning program and I talk a little bit about Inuit history and culture, more specifically, my hometown. I also have went to most of the exhibitions in the museum, the ROM have given me a gem to take home. The coolest thing I have done is held a piece of the moon, Mars, gold and different types of minerals and gems. There is a lot of things to explore in the Museum.

So far I’ve been to Canada’s wonderland, I went on the boat swing which was amazing, I got to watch a water diving show, chair climbing and a human cannonball.
My high school teacher Christopher Hladich, Lydia and I also have driven through 6 cities and 5 towns to get to Niagara Falls, such a beautiful place. During our trip, we have seen the American borders we also have went through the tunnel to see a closer look of the falls, and I went on the Ferris wheel. After an incredible day in Niagara, I formed a very weird tanned skin and sunburn. 

A first few days in Toronto, my host parents took us to an indigenous festival and the CN tower. The CN tower is an unforgettable experience, the sight from one of the tallest buildings in the world is flawless.

My instructor Leslie have been the most supportive and helpful person during our trip, she booked us a lot of activities at the native centre, i have met such amazing friends, I got to make a First Nations drum, resume making and trips outside of Toronto.

We are off to our new host family, job and community!
Located in New Hamburg Ontario, almost 2 hours out of Toronto, a very beautiful scenery.

Hamburg is a small town, it is very different from Toronto, a lot of trees, small buildings and not a lot of stores, just like kugaaruk.

My workplace is the Wilmot Family Recourse centre, I help the staff with handing out free clothing, food and accessories. Although it is very different from the ROM, I enjoy my time in the building with the staff.

During my time in New Hamburg I got to experience the African lion Safari where I see animals such as elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos etc. I also went to a barn where they perform live country music and square dance. I am looking forward for horse riding and the plane ride around the community of New Hamburg!

I can’t thank Lydia enough for constantly being there for me, she became my best friend! Barb, Alan and Will have been so welcoming and supportive also the NYA staff and my family back in kugaaruk for the endless support. I cannot wait to tell my story to my family when I get home.

This trip is a huge accomplishment having a home away from home, I have learned so much about who I really want to become and how I will do it.