Aloka Wijesooriya lives in a place that people from all over the world dream of visiting: the North. She lives in the capital, Iqaluit, of Canada’s newest territory, Nunavut. Aloka has lived in the North for most of her life. Prior to living in Nunavut, she lived in Ontario.

She has spent most of her school years in Iqaluit and says, “Iqaluit was not my first pick on where to live, but once I started meeting new people and becoming familiar with my surroundings, I fell in love with the North!” Although she had her reservations about moving up North, her perseverance to settle into a new atmosphere helped her become an accomplished and well-known youth in her community. She loves the peaceful environment of the tundra and the small population of her home. They enable a close-knit sense of community.

Aloka started her schooling at Joamie Elementary School and is now a grade 11 student at Inuksuk High School. She is a proud speed skater and a dedicated volunteer in her community. She plans to attend university after completing high school, to pursue a career in the sciences.

Aloka is proud of her accomplishments, which include taking part in basketball and speed skating. As a basketball player she has won MVP two times, and she has received participation ribbons for speed-skating competitions. Through Skills Canada she has learned many different trades, such as baking, cooking and prepared speech. Skills Canada Nunavut is a program that provides venues for young people to explore the many opportunities available in skilled trades and technology careers. In partnership with private and public sector partners, the organization is helping address the North’s need for a skilled workforce.

Aloka feels that her extracurricular activities have taken her further as a person. She performs violin and flute recitals publically and has acted in two musicals, allowing her to experience theatre life first-hand. Along with her musical talents, she has won her school’s Gillis Award for best painting. She is also a very active member of her community and has volunteered in several groups, both in and outside of school, including:

·                     Environment Club

·                     Student Council

·                     YOUCAN (conflict resolution group)

·                     Y.E.A.H North! (Youth Educating About Health—sexual and mental health information for teens)

·                     Skills Canada Nunavut

·                     Kamatsiaqtut Help Line

She has also contributed to the community through participating in sport tournaments, coaching speed skating, serving as a junior instructor at music camp and working on the Kamatsiaqtut Help Line, among other activities. Her volunteering has earned her the honour of the Canada Day Youth Award for Nunavut for two consecutive years.

Aloka has taken the environment, people and culture of her hometown to heart. She calls Iqaluit the “true North strong and free!” Her passion for the North is one of the things she hopes will rub off on other people who live in Nunavut and abroad.

Aloka says that her drive is inspired by Brian Tracy’s words: “Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.” She would like to see youth take the lead in letting people in the south let go of their misconceptions of the Arctic and see it from a Northern perspective.