Powell River is playing host to two youth from Canada’s far north this summer as they participate in a Northern Youth Abroad (NYA) Canadian exchange program. NYA is a charitable organization that provides travel and skills development opportunities to high school-aged youth from Nunavut and Northwest Territories.
Daniel Tutcho, 19, from Colville Lake, and Clarence Mackenzie, 16, from Behchokö, both located in Northwest Territories, are being hosted locally by Bob and Cathy McLean. While in Powell River the young men are volunteering full time at community work placements where they will learn new skills and develop their future career interests.
They arrived at the beginning of July and will remain in Powell River for five weeks before returning north on August 8. Tutcho has been working at El’s Auto Tec Ltd., helping to service vehicles and learning about mechanics. Clarence has been helping with child supervision for summer programs at Powell River Recreation Complex.
As part of their involvement with the program, the two will also complete a number of assignments including a scavenger hunt, speaking with community representatives and giving presentations to community members about life in northern Canada.
Both young men grew up around water and said that Powell River’s summer climate and proximity to water drew many similarities to their childhood surroundings. “I live on a lake,” said Tutcho. “The weather’s similar here but sometimes it’s a little bit hotter.”
“And I live beside a lake,” said Clarence.
The population of Behchokö is just over 1,800 while that of Colville Lake hovers around 150. Tutcho said in that town he “knows everybody.”
His family is no stranger to NYA and its programs. Tutcho’s brother and sister both participated in similar exchanges earlier in their youth and are now on an international exchange to Africa. He said their positive experiences prompted him to sign up for his own exchange.
The McLeans aren’t strangers to NYA either. This is their second time hosting youth from the north and prior to that the couple hosted Canada World Youth and housed ESL (English as a second language) students from Japan and Korea. This summer they are one of just three families in BC hosting NYA participants, the others being in Shawnigan Lake and the Lower Mainland.
The NYA program fosters leadership, cross-cultural awareness, individual career goals and international citizenship among youth of the north. Now in its 15th year, NYA has promoted success in education by providing life-changing experiences through volunteer work and travel. Participants have the chance to share their unique culture as they consider attending post-secondary school or other training opportunities. When they return home to their northern communities they bring with them their enhanced skill sets, a sense of achievement and confidence, as well as new capabilities as young leaders.
For more information on the NYA program, interested readers may visit the organization’s website.
