Members of the Ulukhaktok Western Drummers and Dancers are riding high after a whirlwind trip to the 2017 North American Indigenous Games in Toronto last week.

The group performed at York University on opening night and again at McMaster University the next night as part of the territorySA国际影视传媒檚 cultural contingent sent to the games.

They were also invited for a performance at the Lieutenant Governor of OntarioSA国际影视传媒檚 event to honour Team 88, as well as performing during the closing ceremonies.

SA国际影视传媒淲e were honoured to represent Ulukhaktok, Inuvialuit and the Northwest Territories,SA国际影视传媒� said Karen Kitekudlak, one of the 10 members of the group who attended.

Four youth, from 10 to 13 years old, came along as well.

Kitekudlak said they enjoyed their experience and it was great to see all the different Indigenous drumming at the games.

Community looks to enhance adult literacy

Paulatuk

Amberley Buray, a certified teacher, is working with community members to help improve adult literacy in Paulatuk.

The community has not had an adult literacy and numeracy program since Aurora College left about eight years ago.

Buray has received a grant from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to help build capacity in the workplace, which includes tutoring or skill-building with employees during their working day.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is a nice way to work with many community members and provide a service that is wanted and needed by community members,SA国际影视传媒� said Buray.

Local organizations have picked up a number of high school students for work placement programs during the summer.

Otherwise, people in Paulatuk have been spending a lot of their summer on the land and netting fish, at least when the weather hasnSA国际影视传媒檛 been too windy or rainy.

Region represented in Northern Youth Abroad

Various communities

Jessica Andre VanLoon will be representing Tsiigehtchic during the Northern Youth Abroad expedition this summer.

In a bio she wrote on the projectSA国际影视传媒檚 website, VanLoon, 16, said her work placement is at a daycare in Ottawa, which is relevant to her desire to pursue a career in early childhood education.

SheSA国际影视传媒檚 been enjoying the work placement program, which precedes the groupSA国际影视传媒檚 cruise.

SA国际影视传媒淭he culture is different, especially the food,SA国际影视传媒� wrote VanLoon in comparing it to Tsiigehtchic. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 hard to get used to. I love the prices though.SA国际影视传媒�

VanLoon, the first participant ever from Tsiigehtchic, is also a member of the GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n Regional Youth Council.

Other youth taking part in the project this year are Destiney Beaulieu, from Inuvik; Chloe Kanayok, from Ulukhaktok; John Noksana, from Tuktoyaktuk; and Hayven Elanik, from Aklavik.

Jayme Nerysoo will be representing Fort McPherson in a similar program called Northern Youth Abroad Next.

Courtney Kikoak, from Tuktoyaktuk, is taking part in the international program.