Miley Wolki has seen the effects of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 housing crisis first-hand in her home community of Tuktoyaktuk.

From April 22 to 26, the 16-year-old student who attends Mangilaluk School had the opportunity to speak about the issue on her communitySA国际影视传媒檚 behalf, taking up the mantle as minister responsible for Housing NWT at the legislative assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 2024 Youth Parliament in Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淭here are housing issues in my community,SA国际影视传媒� she said the week after her visit to the capital. SA国际影视传媒淚 was able to speak for that issue and it felt really good.

SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e problems I relate to.SA国际影视传媒�

Wolki, who is currently in grade 10, was one of 19 young people from across the territory to participate in the youth parliament session. It was her second time participating, as she also made the trip to Yellowknife last year.

She was encouraged to participate by her grade nine teacher, Tori Constant, and while she initially had doubts that she would get involved, she was ultimately glad she did.

When asked about the highlights of the 2024 Youth Parliament, she pointed to meeting Commissioner Margaret Thom, who has since been replaced by Gerry Kisoun in the role. She also enjoyed as glimpsing the assemblySA国际影视传媒檚 mace.

SA国际影视传媒淚 think [my favourite part] would be seeing the commissioner for the last time,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪he is probably the kindest lady youSA国际影视传媒檒l meet.

SA国际影视传媒淎nother thing SA国际影视传媒� I think they used the real mace for the first time in youth parliament. Getting to see the mace in the chamber room was really cool.SA国际影视传媒�

Wolki also had the chance to get acquainted with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay MacDonald, who she was paired with due to the inavailability of Nunakput MLA Lucy Kuptana.

SA国际影视传媒淗e gave us really good tips and it helped us during the mock sessions,SA国际影视传媒� she said of MacDonald.

Wolki still has a few more years of high school to get through, but is already considering her options in terms of college and university. She isnSA国际影视传媒檛 set on her course of study just yet, but is interested in getting involved in theatre.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 in drama right now, and that class really helped me get my confidence levels up and helped me not to stutter as much,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪o drama and acting definitely [are fields ISA国际影视传媒檓 interested in].SA国际影视传媒�

Much like drama class, participating in the latest youth parliament also gave Wolki a big confidence boost SA国际影视传媒� so much so that she can picture herself serving as an MLA or minister in the future.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am willing to become a minister or MLA if the opportunity ever presents itself,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 do really care about my community and already my friends and most of my family and my teachers are encouraging me to become the next mayor, or a minister or MLA.

SA国际影视传媒淚 forget who said it, but during the youth parliament, somebody said SA国际影视传媒榯his is not goodbye, just see you later.SA国际影视传媒� [Serving in the legislative assembly] is something ISA国际影视传媒檓 definitely willing to do.SA国际影视传媒�

As a two-year veteran of the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 youth parliament, Wolki hopes other young people from across the territory will consider getting involved themselves.

It may not be for everyone, she said, but one doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 know until they try.

SA国际影视传媒淵outh parliament helped me become more confident about my capabilities as a peer leader,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淚 encourage every single youth from any community to try this out.SA国际影视传媒�