An Inuvik man has been accepted into the Gordon FoundationSA国际影视传媒檚 Jane Glassco Northern Fellowship Program aimed at creating Northern policy makers.

Peter Greenland, 25, will join 14 other young professionals from across Northern Canada, including four others from the Northwest Territories.

SA国际影视传媒淚 was surprised at first,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland, when asked about getting the news he was accepted. SA国际影视传媒淭hereSA国际影视传媒檚 a lot of people that have done great things with the fellowship and I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know if I would get in.SA国际影视传媒�

The fellowship aims to SA国际影视传媒榖ring together young Northerners, aged 25 to 35, who want to build a strong North that benefits NorthernersSA国际影视传媒� according to their official website. According to Melania Sheldon, Program Manager, with the fellowship said that means fostering young policy makers SA国际影视传媒� from the North SA国际影视传媒� that want to improve the North.

SA国际影视传媒淲e want to see these young Northerners passionate about making change,SA国际影视传媒� said Sheldon. SA国际影视传媒淭hey see something wrong with their community and they want to make a change.SA国际影视传媒�

Greenland says he has already started that process in his own community.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to create more on the land opportunities, the times are changing, more people are spending more time inside,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland.

While Greenland already has an idea of the types of changes he wants to create in the North, he still says he has a lot to learn in how to actually implement those changes. That is where the foundation will step in to provide Greenland with a SA国际影视传媒榩an-NorthernSA国际影视传媒� network system and guidance from Northern leaders, including former NWT Premier Stephen Kakfwi, for the next two years.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 humbling yet empowering,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland. SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 looking toward creating a (Northern) network.SA国际影视传媒�

The fellowship has already met once in Whitehorse this past February to begin their networking not only between current members but with past members as well. Alumni from the Glassco program now include Northern mayors, elders, and government officials, fulfilling a goal of the program.

SA国际影视传媒淲hile it is not a requirement for them to stay in the North, we want to foster policy makers that are from the North and that stay in the North,SA国际影视传媒� said Sheldon.

Greenland says he fully intends on carrying on this tradition when his time in the fellowship has come to an end.

SA国际影视传媒淚 can remember being 11 years old and wanting to move back North,SA国际影视传媒� said Greenland, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 family moved to Ontario when he was 10, before switching between living in the territories and Southern Canada. SA国际影视传媒淢y heart was always in the North.SA国际影视传媒�

The fellowship will next meet in Iqaluit from August 16 to 19. The fellowship will hold a number of meetings throughout the weekend in between different on the land gatherings.

Greenland will be joined on the fellowship by Heather Bourassa of Fort Good Hope as well as Don Couturier, Chloe Dragon Smith and Kristen Tache of Yellowknife.