Young Leaders

We asked members of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Regional Youth Advisory Group what they want to do for their communities and what they’ve learned throughout life.

BRIANNA WOLKI (20, Paulatuuq)

How do you want to improve your community?

An opportunity like this is a great example of how to get youth together to learn and observe what each believe can be done for the community. I think (we need to) reach the youth of our communities through either social networking or getting events together to inform them of what they can do or how we can support them to make a difference for the community.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

To obtain patience. That’s valuable.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Losing a loved one. During high school that took a big impact on me, but then I strived to get my Grade 12 diploma.

LANITA THRASHER (31, Paulatuuq)

How do you want to improve your community?

The best possible way that I can.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Take in the moments.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

My biggest challenge was being away from home without native food and missing the land. I guess everyone’s challenge is wanting to learn Inuvialuktun.

CALYSTA KUDLAK (18, Ikaariaq)

How do you want to improve your community?

I want to get more support for the youth, for furthering their education and activities for the younger kids so they could stay out of trouble.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Always be kind, even if everyone pisses you off.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Probably coming here (Inuvik) for school. It’s been challenging but at least I’m getting it done.

JERRY RUBEN-BENNETT (22, Paulatuuq)

How do you want to improve your community?

I want to give a voice to the youth who feel silenced and feel like they don’t have a voice.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

That things won’t go your way every time.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Learning to accept that things won’t always go my way.

TIANNA GORDON-RUBEN (22, Tuktuuyaqtuuq)

How do you want to improve your community?

Trying to enhance the awareness of our youth, of our culture, to bring this drive to practise all of our traditions no matter how old or young you are.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Treat people how you want to be treated. It’s pretty obvious – you want to be treated nice, you have to treat people nice.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

It would probably have to be growing up in such a small community. When you leave your community, you’re leaving your home, your land, your family and all of the traditions that you have. It’s hard to leave that to try to better your life when you enjoy your home so much.

CASSANDRA PAUL (17, Akłarvik)

How do you want to improve your community?

By helping the students achieve their education and learn about the land.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Treat people the way you want to be treated.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Overcoming my shyness for meeting new people and experiencing new things.

TYLER SITTICHINLI (16, Akłarvik)

How do you want to improve your community?

Help out at all the community events, do volunteer work.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

To stay positive and do what you want to do.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Probably with all the stuff I do outside school and school (itself). I don’t really have much time for anything now.

DAVONNA KASOOK (22, Inuuvik)

How do you want to improve your community?

That’s the whole reason of developing this board, to bring all of us youth together from all the other communities and share our issues, concerns and insights on what kind of problems we’re facing in our communities. Right now we’re trying to develop ways to make life easier for youth in remote communities and communities in the North in general.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

The most important lesson I’ve learned is to have patience and don’t procrastinate.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Getting my education, just getting through high school and now I’m in college trying to get good grades. It’s pretty tough. It’s stressful and takes a toll on you.

SHELBY LUCAS (20, Ikaariaq)

How do you want to improve your community?

I would like to see more programs happening, because all the other communities have a lot of programs. In Sachs, there are only about two. I’d like to see more activities in my town.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Being positive and taking all the chances that you could take.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

It was probably leaving home to go to school.

TOPSY BANKSLAND (20, Ulukhaqtuuq)

How do you want to improve your community?

In all aspects – health-wise, physically. I want activities and everyone to have a healthy mind. I want to see a healthier community. There’s always something to improve on, especially more awareness for your language loss, that there are programs out there for you.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

Don’t wait. I noticed I started waiting for little things to happen, but especially for school to start learning something. You don’t need to wait. You can do it on your own. You’re not helpless.

What is the biggest challenge that you’ve had to go through?

Gathering the courage to start something. Starting something is the hardest part, especially if you want to get into a healthy habit.