News And Media

CBU Sponsorship Helping to Build Youth Leadership in the Arctic

November 26, 2009

It sounds like an adventure right out of National Geographic: Ten teenagers and three expert guides paddle 360 kilometres down a wilderness river in the Northwest Territories, braving whitewater rapids, harsh weather and voracious bugs en route to their final destination on the Arctic Ocean.

Sound far-fetched?

Not for the students and instructors in the Arctic Youth Leadership (AYL) Program, who in July successfully completed a rugged, two-week canoeing expedition in the Mackenzie Delta - thanks in large part to the sponsorship of Chevron Canada.

Chris Lough, senior advisor, community and stakeholder relations in PGPA, says this is the fourth year CBU has sponsored the AYL program, which is run by the Inuvialuit Development Corporation (IDC) in Inuvik on behalf of students from across the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

"We see the program as an outstanding opportunity to help build leadership skills in youth in that region," says Lough, noting Chevron was the first energy company to support the initiative. "The program fits nicely with Chevron's strategy of building the capacity of communities where we operate or have long-term investments."

The 2009 expedition included four Inuvialuit students from the Northwest Territories and six students from Nunavut in the Eastern Arctic. Paddling in tandem canoes, they navigated the Horton River from Whalemen Creek to Franklin Bay on the Arctic Ocean.

"Over the course of the two weeks, these individuals went from being strangers, thrown into wilderness full of a mix of familiar and new challenges, to a cohesive group of friends, laughing, crying and supporting each other throughout the expedition," says instructor Dave Pigott.

Each of the 10 participants was nominated by his or her school principal and community. To date, more than 91 youth have graduated from the AYL program.

In addition to the canoe expedition, students in the program also participate in a week-long company and career orientation as well as a series of leadership development workshops and community volunteer activities. Upon successful completion of the program, the students earn up to four credits on their high school transcript.

AYL organizers credit Chevron's ongoing support for helping to build a legacy of youth leadership across the Arctic.

"Chevron's steadfast commitment to the Arctic Youth Leadership Program, coupled with the enthusiastic and positive response of our participants, inspire us to push harder to ensure quality leadership training is available for youth, both on the expedition and on their return to their communities," says Sue McNeil, project manager, Inuvialuit Development Corporation. "On behalf of the IDC Board of Directors, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for your support."