Last September, 12 students and chaperones from the community of Kinngait, Nunavut, boarded three flights to make the journey south to Simcoe County to participate in a youth exchange. The students were welcomed by their partners here in Ontario who would be hosting them for the trip. Over the week, both groups participated in many fun activities, including day trips to Niagara Falls, Canada’s Wonderland, and Toronto. We took in a Blue Jays game, visited the provincial parliament, tried treetop trekking, saw the city skyline from the CN tower, and learned some sports history at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Many of the students from Nunavut also had the opportunity to try some new experiences for the first time, such as swimming at a beach in Wasaga, visiting a large shopping mall at the Eaton Centre, and trying fast food at McDonald’s and Wendy’s. Overall, both groups were able to bond over the week and create friendships that we were sure to miss over the coming months that we would be apart.
But it was only six short months before we Ontario students took the equally long journey to go to Nunavut. For the week that we stayed in Kinngait, the students and staff at Peter Pitseolak School were generous enough to let us stay at their high school during our visit. Everyone was beyond welcoming and hospitable. We spent our days outside getting a taste of what life is like up north. We toured local establishments such as the RCMP office, the medical center, the Northern and Co-op grocery stores, and the art center. The art center is a very special place in the hamlet, as Kinngait is known as the capital of Inuit art, and many world-renowned art pieces originate from that very art center. We witnessed the skillful and intricate printmaking process and toured the gallery of local pieces. Other outdoor highlights include cross-country skiing, hiking, going out on the land, and riding in qamutiks, the wooden sleds towed behind snowmobiles, which quickly became our main form of transport over the snowy grounds.
The group learnt many new skills, including igloo building, soapstone carving, pastel drawing, as well as how to play many Inuit games, such as Musk-Ox wrestling, High Kick, and Leg Wrestling. A visit from an elder in the community also gave us insight into what life was like in the decade’s past. Evenings were spent viewing the beautiful and vibrant Northern Lights and trying local cuisine such as raw arctic char and boiled beluga. One particular day that stood out was the celebration of Hamlet Day, a local holiday celebrated by the community. Festivities included a parade around town and a series of games and competitions at the recreation center, bringing the entire community together. On the final night in Kinngait, the school hosted a dance with the whole student population to bid us farewell. It featured a local band and some traditional dancing, which we got to try our hand at. It was a heartwarming farewell to such a wonderful time which deepened our understanding of Inuit life and culture.
As sad as it was to say goodbye to all our new friends, the trip gave all the participants an opportunity to gain new experiences and create friendships with youth from across the country. The exchange allowed both groups to participate in many new experiences and gain a newfound knowledge and appreciation for a culture different from our own. We were able to witness the diversity of ways of life which exist, even within our own country, and it is safe to say that we all hope to return to the unique places across Canada which we were fortunate enough to visit during this once-in-a-lifetime exchange.
Thanks once again to Experiences Canada for this amazing opportunity!
-Keira, Experiences Canada 2025 Youth Exchange Ambassador
Experiences Canada covers the cost of group travel! Apply today to secure funding for a 2025 Youth Exchange: https://experiencescanada.ca/exchanges/.
Experiences Canada’s Youth Exchange Program is generously funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
