Canada's Arctic Council Youth Delegation

Bio: Sandi Vincent

CanACAC Youth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:53:48 GMT

“Hates regret more than apologies” has been a motto Sandi has been living by, taking every opportunity to improve upon her skills, experience and education. Cinematography, volunteering, land claims, world travel, throat singing and drum dancing have been part of her passion for life.

After graduating from Iqaluit’s Inuksuk High School in 2005, Sandi traveled to New Brunswick and Ghana to volunteer with Canada World Youth for 6 months. Canada World Youth’s mission is to increase the ability of people, especially youth, to participate actively in the development of just, sustainable and harmonious societies.

Sandi graduated from Nunavut Sivuniksavut in 2007. Nunavut Sivuniksavut prepares Inuit youth for the education, training, and career opportunities that are being created by the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement and the new Government of Nunavut. At school, Sandi learned about Inuit history, Inuit Organizations, land claims and other issues relevant to the future careers in Nunavut.

Sandi is a positive role model to others. In 2006 she was named Miss Nunavut and Miss Congeniality where she was invited into schools and classrooms to speak and spend time mentoring children. Sandi is still actively involved with youth. Sandi is a world citizen. She has travelled throughout Canada, the United States of America, Norway, Ghana, Peru, Cuba and Australia. Through travel, Sandi has come to appreciate different cultures and has realized the specific issues affecting the circumpolar region.

Sandi is living and working at home in Iqaluit. She is eager to contribute her education, training from various programs and past experience travelling to the people and Government of Nunavut. Sandi looks forward to gaining knowledge and a better understanding of all the work that the Arctic Council does – and is thankful for the opportunity to do so.

Bio: Robin Urquhart

CanACAC Youth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:52:56 GMT

Robin is a student at the University of Northern British Columbia, currently undertaking an MA degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Studies. His research focuses on the ability of First Nations in the Yukon to engage in resource management consultation. He holds a certificate in Circumpolar Studies from Bodo University College, Norway and a BA (Honours) in Environmental History from Queen’s University, Canada.

Directly prior to his studies at UNBC, Robin interned at the University of the Arctic Secretariat in Rovaniemi, Finland. The internship was administered through the International Institute of Sustainable Development’s Circumpolar Young Leaders Program. Robin was and is still involved with the Arctic Athabaskan Council, working on various climate change related projects in the Yukon.

In his spare time, Robin established a professional, Toronto-based theatre company whose mandate is to bring high-quality theatre to Northern locations. The company also contains a youth outreach program and is currently in its third season. Robin is a member of the Northern Research Group at UNBC and a Youth Delegate for the Canadian Advisory Committee to the Arctic Council.

Bio: Amy Thompson

CanACAC Youth — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 15:44:46 GMT

Amy Thompson is from Inuvik Northwest Territories and a participant of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. She grew up in Halifax Nova Scotia, where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Mount Saint Vincent University while working for Department of Fisheries and Oceans as an Invertebrate Fisheries Technician.

She returned to Inuvik in January 2006 to work as a biologist for the Gwich’in Renewable Resource Board (GRRB). In this position, Amy coordinates and conducts fisheries research and is responsible for the management of fish and forestry resources in the Gwich’in Settlement Area (GSA). Amy works with youth from the GSA through school presentations, community events and research projects to encourage youth into the renewable resources field. Amy has been a volunteer board member for the Inuvik Youth Centre (IYC) since 2006. She is currently the co-chair of the IYC. Amy has also provided technical support for the Gwich’in Council International at Arctic Council and Climate Change meetings.

Amy is looking forward to the opportunities that will emerge from being selected as a Youth Delegate for the Arctic Council. Amy is keen to engage in shaping policy as it applies to the Arctic.