President's Message

IDC is immensely proud of its Arctic Youth Leadership Program and the positive experiences that it provides to Inuvialuit youth. Everyone has leadership skills, some more than others; some people are born leaders and others learn and practice leadership in their everyday lives. Whether we are born leaders or we gained leadership skills through training and practice, the skills are invaluable as we progress through our life, in our personal lives, at work and at play.

The Arctic Youth Leadership Expedition is held in such high regard by IDC because it has a history of showing positive results in the development and honing of leadership skills in Inuvialuit youth. The challenges of outdoor adventure are a natural fit as a grand classroom for leadership development and training. The professional leadership curriculum delivered by the National Outdoor Leadership School, in combination with the post trip exposure to future educational and employment opportunities, provides an eye opening and often life changing positive experience to the participants. It is so gratifying to talk with the youth after they have completed the program to hear firsthand what they have learned about themselves and of the world of opportunity that surrounds them.

Each year, IDC and its eastern counterpart Nunasi, strive to continually improve the program and to seek continued positive learning experiences for arctic youth. Research has shown that participant follow-up and further positive experiences enhance the benefits of leadership training and reinforce the fundamental skills and personal traits acquired in the initial course. In recognition of this, IDC and Nunasi, with the dedicated support of the sponsors, have developed a follow-up and mentoring program designed to keep youth engaged in positive leadership experiences, thus increasing the impact on the youth as they continue with their life journey.

Sponsors are a critical part of the program, in that the program could not be delivered without the financial and in kind assistance provided by the sponsors. The Inuvialuit Development Corporation contributes the administrative and organizational horsepower to deliver the Program, the sponsors feed the program with the donation of cash, in kind contributions and discounted services. I urge you to review the list of sponsors that share our values in community service by sponsoring the program.

Lastly, IDC recognizes that our youth are the basis of our future in being not only meaningful, but leading participants in the national and northern economy and society. The Arctic Youth Leadership program is one great way that IDC supports this goal.

Sincerely,

James Thorbourne
President
Inuvialuit Development Corporation