Youth from across Tlicho territory wrapped up a summer of leadership training and activities with the Imbe program last week.

Every year, this program gives youth a chance to connect with their culture, get out on the land, get safety certifications, learn leadership skills and take opportunities to get some experience related to careers theySA国际影视传媒檙e interested in.

Program manager Vanita Zoe said the youth are asked what careers theySA国际影视传媒檙e interested in through entrance surveys

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 different for everybody,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淪ome of them they want to be social workers, teachers, some want to work with environmental management, a few want to work in the mines.SA国际影视传媒�

Two weeks ago, two groups of six youth, along with two leaders, took two overnight trips to Diavik diamond mine, and then one group of 15 youth took a day trip.

SA国际影视传媒�This was really an eye opener for the students,SA国际影视传媒� said assistant program manager Rhonda Apples. SA国际影视传媒淭hey got to see the opportunities and the different jobs at a mine site. It gives us a feeling of what itSA国际影视传媒檚 like to live and work here. It makes me feel good to know how itSA国际影视传媒檚 managed to keep people safe.SA国际影视传媒�

In addition to a tour of the facilities, the overnight groups had a chance to do some water sampling and raptor monitoring with the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 environmental team, and played soccer and basketball in the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 gym.

Diavik funds the Imbe program through the Impact-Benefits Agreement it has with the Tlicho Government, said Zoe.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Imbe program really wouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be possible without Diavik,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Much of the activities since this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Imbe program began have been different in each community, said Zoe.

In Wekweeti, youth had been trying to get out on the land to hunt moose and ducks but have been thwarted by weather.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne thing I like that theySA国际影视传媒檙e doing is theySA国际影视传媒檝e been trying to fix the graveyards thereSA国际影视传媒攑ainting, brush-cutting and fixing some of the fencing,SA国际影视传媒� said Zoe. SA国际影视传媒淚 hear it looks really nice.SA国际影视传媒�

In Behchoko, a group aimed to get out on the North Arm of Great Slave Lake last week to get a moose and some ducks and SA国际影视传媒渏ust really to have a nice time on the lake,SA国际影视传媒� said Zoe.

One of the teams in Behchoko has been volunteering at the seniorSA国际影视传媒檚 home in the community, helping out and visiting.

SA国际影视传媒淭he staff really like having them and hope some will volunteer over the school year as well,SA国际影视传媒� said Zoe. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 nice when our young people build relationships with the elders in our communitySA国际影视传媒�