Arctic Youth Leadership Program

Building Skills, Strengths and Successes!

Each year, the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) and Nunasi Corporation sponsor two groups of Inuit and Inuvialuit students to participate in the Arctic Youth Leadership Outward Bound and Career Orientation expedition. The first part of the experience is a two-week canoe trip on the Horton River.

The participants, aged 16-19, apply to their School principals to take part in the expedition and go through a selection process before being accepted.

The Adventure Begins

Adventure-based education has a long and successful history of providing opportunities for people to learn fundamental skills - the ability to overcome challenges through innovation and change, to work well with others, to communicate effectively, to take responsibility for one's actions and to work towards long-term goals despite short-term inconveniences. These are the hallmarks of good leaders and the stated goals of the Arctic Youth Leadership Expeditions.

These annual expeditions are designed to be an opportunity for learning and growth. The central goal of the program is to show the young people who participate that they can overcome obstacles, find inner courage, strength and resilience, and in the process become leaders.

An Exciting Journey

The two-week white water river trip takes place on the Horton River. Considered the ‘crown jewel' of Canadian rivers, it is a point of pride for the Inuvialuit. Located in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, it flows into the Arctic Ocean west of Paulatuk.

The outdoor experience is designed to encourage these young leaders to discover what is uniquely strong about them as people and how they can use these "assets" to help them on their journeys into adulthood.

Looking to the Future

Once the outdoor portion of the program is over, the students complete the rest the program by participating in a tour of the NorTerra Group of Companies, starting by flying with Canadian North Airlines.

The students receive a guided tour of Weldco-Beales Manufacturing and the NorTerra Inc. corporate headquarters in Edmonton along with a tour of Grant MacEwan College, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and the University of Alberta.

Then it's off to Hay River for a tour of the Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL) Syncro Facility and one of their famous icebreaking vessels, the M.V. Kakisa.

Most importantly, the students have an opportunity to meet and speak to employees and professionals about their career choices for their future.

Says NorTerra's Wanda Norwegian, Director HR and Career Development:

"Our Human Resources Development Program for beneficiaries is one of NorTerra's most important corporate objectives. NorTerra's success has been recognized by Human Resources Development Canada. The students get so much from this experience and can access lots of opportunities within our Group of Companies."

Our Sponsors

We would lke to thank the generous sponsorship of the Arctic Youth Leadership Expeditions which makes these life-changing journeys possible. A variety of corporations and businesses operating in the north have given back to northern communities through their support of the Arctic Youth Leadership Expeditions.

Inuvialuit Development Corporation - Akita Equtak Drilling Ltd; Aklak Air; ATCO Group; Chevron; Inuvialuit Oilfield Services; NorTerra Inc.; Northwest Territories Municipal and Community Affairs; Schlumberger; Stanton Group Ltd.; and The Michael R. Shaw Outdoor Development Foundation.

Nunasi Corporation - ATCO Frontec; Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation; Canadian North; Kitikmeot Corporation; Nasittuq; NCC Investment Group Inc.; NorTerra Inc.; Northern Transportation Company Limited; Nunasi Ryfan Construction Services; Nunavut Government; and Qikiqtaaluk Corporation.

Further Information

If you would like to know more about the Arctic Youth Leadership Outward Bound and Career Orientation expeditions, please contact:

Wanda Norwegian, Director HR & Career Development, NorTerra Inc.
Tel: (867) 669-4048
Email: wjn@norterra.com

Or visit: www.arcticyouthleadership.ca