Canoeing Artic Youth Leadership Expedition

This year marks the 7th successful journey on the Horton River as part of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) run Arctic Youth Leadership program (AYL). The AYL expedition program has the goal of integrating Inuvialuit and Inuit youth. Eleven youth, five Inuvialuit and six Inuit, participated in the second fully integrated program, with two of the youth acting as peer leaders, while undertaking their second journey, and receiving advanced leadership training. The IDC and Nunasi Corporation greatly values’ integrating the two groups as it provides an opportunity for cultural exchange and diversity to leadership training. The program enabled Inuvialuit and Inuit youth to work together in developing effective solutions for mutual challenges, as well as supporting the emergence of an arctic network for future leaders.

The Horton River as a site to conduct a leadership development program is very appropriate, as it is a historical place and is rich in resources. In the past, it catered to the Thule, whalers and traders. Various archeology sites remain along the river and reflect the variety of inhabitants across time. Today, the Inuvialuit continue to be human presence in the area.

The Horton River itself is a 250-kilometer waterway that allows for remote white-water canoe expeditions. The River snakes through the upper canyons, past tundra plains, and along the Smoking Hills. The name Smoking Hills was gained when searchers were looking for Franklin and his men, when they saw smoke rising hoping that it was the lost men; instead, the smoke turned out to be sulphur, lignite and other minerals oxidizing in a slow burn. The River ends up near the mouth of Franklin Bay. The setting blends natural scenery and a variety of wildlife has become the ultimate destination, drawing in people from all over the world for paddling.

The AYL expedition begins at the second half of

Horton River; which is the lower section of the river that passes through the tree line, the tundra, rolling hills and the Smoking Hills near the ocean, and finishes next to the river’s mouth close to the end of Cape Bathurst. The two-week expedition begins with a flight with Aklak Air from Inuvik to a gravel bar close to where the Whaleman River flows into the Horton. After assembling the folding Ally canoes, participants break into both tent and food groups and canoeing partners. After this, the students then head off to the white water sections of the Horton River. »

Along with the canoeing adventure, the students learn aspects of wilderness living that compliment their conventional knowledge, leadership skills, communication skills, conflict-resolution skills, risk management skills, and backcountry cooking skills. These arrayed categories of skills all meet the primary goals of the AYL program set by IDC, that of being primarily to teach leadership skills in the participants.

By the end of the expedition, the participants are able to understand the intricacies involved with being a part of a team, as well as learning to work as a team member, to plan and achieve goals, and to initiate progressive actions towards achieving their goals. Upon successful completion of the AYL expedition, individual students earn up to four credits towards their high school transcript.

Each of this year’s eleven participants has developed a broader understanding of the natural environment and their relationship with it; and the appreciation for the complexity and diversity contained in the natural world.

In the seven years of providing this leadership opportunity, the Arctic Youth Leadership program has produced one hundred and two young Inuvialuit and Inuit graduates. With this well-earned success the youth are learning new skills to navigate their exciting futures and meet challenges in their lives. ∞

Participants – Arctic Youth Leadership Program 2010

Zakkery Kudlak Ulukhaktok

Haley Smith Inuvik

Lance Gray Inuvik

Shannon Ciboci Inuvik

Paulou Ittungna Inuvik

Caine Akukujuk Pangnirtung

David Kullualik Iqaluit

Tera Yarema Rankin Inlet

Martha Arnarauyak Rankin Inlet

Hope Makpah Rankin Inlet

Swen Ugyuk Taloyoak

Participant Application Criteria

If you are an Inuvialuit youth living in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, between the ages of 15 to 19, possess leadership potential, are active in school and community, and want to participate then ask your school Principal for an application or visit the a rctic Youth l eadership website at: www.arcticyouthleadership.ca

“When you first get out there, you don’t know what you are going to do, you don’t know what to expect, you sort of miss home at first, then you get through the trip, and get used to the lifestyle. You really enjoy it, and then when you are told that you have to come back, and the plane lands and it all flashes past, you know, it is such a quick trip. When you get back you enjoy all of it you really learn to love it out there, you have just a different appreciation for what is out there.”

“Everyone began to feel like family as the trip went down and when we had to leave it was kind of hard to leave the whole group”

AYL Graduate 2010