News And Media

AYL Breakfast Banquet

August 5, 2009

The morning following the successful Horton River trip the AYL students are rewarded with a hearty breakfast banquet, celebrating the success of each student on the Horton River and to recognize the leadership training that these students have undertaken while on the journey.

Attending the breakfast banquet were family and friends of the students, and a few members of the sponsors all to congratulate the students. Nellie Cournoyea of the IRC provided a welcome back speech for the students. Tim Zehr of Nunasi Corporation made the visit to from Yellowknife to welcome the students back. James Thorbourne from IDC also spoke to the returning AYL students.

This year, Geir Utskot, of Schlumberger Oilfield Services, was able to speak to the AYL students. Having one of our sponsors both attend and speak at the breakfast banquet is a valuable opportunity, as the students realize that there is a huge network of positive support for their future interested in supporting them towards the future with potential career and stewardship opportunities. Likewise, the sponsors are able to place identities to the recipients of their generous sponsorship of the AYL program.

Dave Pigott, the senior instructor for NOLS, spoke of the journey that each of the students underwent while on the leadership training on the Horton River. He spoke of the adversity, difficulty, and demands that just being on a river in the arctic, like the Horton, require from an individual before they even begin to come together as a cohesive unit working with teamwork and effective communication that each student eventually displayed the attributes of. Dave gave insight into the focused leadership approach and comprehensive curriculum that NOLS has imparted with the students this year.

Later that day the AYL students departed Inuvik for Edmonton to begin the company tour, proudly sponsored by NorTerra Inc., as the second phase for the students of the Arctic Youth Leadership program.

Appearing in the photo, from left to right: Dave Pigott (NOLS Instructor), Geof Kooy (NOLS Instructor), Michelle Smallman (NOLS Instructor), Kevin Floyd (AYL Coordinator), Swen Ugyuk (Taloyoak), Brandon Nartok (Kugaaruk), Terrance Allen (Inuvik), Tom Mcleod (Aklavik), Devin Aviugana (Repulse Bay), Patricia Qiyuaqjuk (Pangnirtung). Front row, left to right: Shannon Ciboci (Inuvik), and Olivia Netser (Iqaluit).