It’s going to be a once in a life time experience and something that’s going to be a memorable event for me, because the Africans were very welcoming to us. Two nights ago we visited a community called Lesotho and I was afraid to go there because I didn’t want to live in a place without electricity and proper washroom service. But I learned that it was more than what I expected, the people were very welcoming and the kids especially were very fun. That is an experience I’d like to tell the world about.

These people are real people that exist like I do, that have feelings like I do and eat and drink like I do. I was amazed how this country is a poorer country than we are, yet these amazing people still have smiles on their faces and that’s all that matters. I was changed when I saw kids running around with laughters and smiles, yet their housing is not that good. The houses they live in are houses that would be abandoned in my community, that I don’t see would be useable at home. They don’t complain about how they don’t have electricity, they don’t complain about their washroom services aren’t that great, and we complain at so little things and these things that they don’t have are things that would be a major lost for us. We should think twice before we start complaining about these little things that we don’t need to worry about. We have great housing, electricity and stores that are just around the corner and we are blessed.

Mother Africa was really kind to us, we enjoyed the people and I especially enjoyed the kids, I am honoured to have met the kids. I am also honoured to have met the Chatsworth kids and youth that came to the youth centre and took their time to listen to us talking. I couldn’t believe that birds could go into their building and just hang out and chill. I am thankful for all the people that helped out in Durban, Chatsworth, and Lesotho and also the Canadian Youth Delegation that were very kind in helping us. I will not forget this opportunity that I was given and had enjoyed. Respect to all the kids of Africa that I met and saw, they are the strong ones.  

Lets not forget that we are blessed and understand that there are many ways that we can help other people around the world that have needs.

Yesterday, I felt I had nothing to do, so I spent the time with my grandparents in the afternoon. These people are tireless, talk about being Elders at the age of 78. They are always looking for something they can do. 

When I went to my grandparents I found my grandpa in the porch taking the caribou meat off the freezer, and he’s on his wheelchairs. I wasn’t surprised that he would still try and get all the meat out, even though he can’t really reach the ones completely frozen on the bottom. That’s my grandpa who says “don’t say it’s impossible when you haven’t tried yet”. Luckily I came to visit them so I helped him take the meat out and I had to use an axe and a hammer to take the meat off. After we had done taking the meat out we cleaned the freezer, to the ice off its walls and its floor then put the meat back in its place.

After we had done al the work, we went to the living room and started chatting. I was telling him about my new tools in my shack and he was really happy that I am buying things that I will need in the future. My grandparents are always telling me to use my money wisely and to think if I’m buying something, do I need it now and in the future?

But anyways, my grandpa and I started chatting about how Arviat is changing. The community leaders thought about moving the dumps somewhere else away from the South of Arviat where I and the people think it’s annoying when the dumps is lit for it to burn. My grandpa said to me “when you become a leader, make sure you tell the community that you don’t want the dumps to be moved. The reason is that the polar bears go straight to the dumps first, that’s their first stop. But if you move it to the other side of the community, the polar bears first stop is the community of Arviat and that’s going to cause some problems. The kids are always curious and the Elders can barely move any faster.”

“The other thing about the community is the water reservoir. There’s been some explosions in the reservoir and it can be fixed. First you put a pile of rocks over the sides and add some dirt as well, this will prevent the force from exploding again. The water is a very strong thing, it can break a wall of 8 foot wall, it can create a lot of force.”

There is a lot of reasons why we should use Inuit Elders as our leaders that make the changes, because they know a lot. One day we will become leaders of the universe, we will create the changes. So, if you think wisely and take your time to think about what you’re doing, you can make the good choices. One day, you will take charge, be the right leader.