Growing up in Tuktoyaktuk, 22-year-old Chukita Gruben always wanted to leave home to see other places.

She had big dreams and aspirations, she said, and eventually went off to Vernon, B.C. for college.

It wasn't until Gruben left home that she truly started to appreciate where she came from SA国际影视传媒� and to realize the misunderstandings people hold about Indigenous people in the North.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen I talked about my culture SA国际影视传媒� I hunt and stuff SA国际影视传媒� people were like, 'Why do you do that?'SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 was told things that made me discouraged.SA国际影视传媒�

What they didn't understand is the cost of living in the North, Gruben explained, pointing to the exorbitant price of everything from food to housing in her remote Arctic community.

SA国际影视传媒淲e hunt to be able to provide for our family a meal from the land,SA国际影视传媒� said Gruben. SA国际影视传媒淎nd it's so much work doing it. It may seem like you just shoot it and skin it, but it's more than that.SA国际影视传媒�

On Sept. 10, Gruben set off on another journey beyond her community.

But this time, it's to break down those stereotypes and encourage other youth from the North to seize the opportunities before them.

She's making her way from Tuktoyaktuk around the shores of Alaska as a youth ambassador on the Canada C3 ship.

The boat is travelling along the country's three coasts to give Canadians a better understanding of the country and its people during the 150th year since Confederation.

SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of people don't know what it's like in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Gruben, who will meet passengers from across Canada, including scientists, musicians, artists, historians, doctors and journalists.

There's a lot that Canada and the world still need to learn, she said.

She hopes her trip will help foster more understanding and give her an opportunity SA国际影视传媒渢o tell who I am as an Inuvialuit.SA国际影视传媒�

Gruben also wants to be an example to other young people in her community.

Although she left Tuktoyaktuk to go to school and experience other places, she has since returned to contribute to her community where she said she is SA国际影视传媒渃ontentSA国际影视传媒� living the lifestyle she does SA国际影视传媒� hunting, spending time with family and working for the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation.

SA国际影视传媒淚 come from a very rich culture and I took that for granted,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淧eople need to know who they are, how special it is living up in this beautiful town of Tuktoyaktuk. There's so much potential.SA国际影视传媒�

Young people often think they need to leave home to be successful, but she doesn't believe that's true.

They can go and become scientists, or whatever it is they want to be, and return home to study their own land, she said.

SA国际影视传媒淪o I want to be that person that stands as an example to show them SA国际影视传媒� love where you come from and also don't be afraid to take opportunities,SA国际影视传媒� said Gruben. SA国际影视传媒淭ake as much as you can and just don't give up.SA国际影视传媒�