The deadline for NWT students to apply to join the Youth Parliament at the Legislative Assembly is being extended.
The Youth Parliament program is a learning opportunity for students in Grade 9 and 10 to allow them to experience some of the work that an MLA goes through. The program is held every spring, and throughout the week, participating students will be able to learn about community concerns, discuss these issues with their MLAs, learn about how Bills become laws, and participate in a mock session.
The deadline for applications has now been extended to Sunday, March 9th. The Legislative Assembly is looking for applications from Inuvik Twin Lakes, Hay River South, Tu Nedhé Wilideh, Dehcho, Thebacha, Nahendeh, and MacKenzie Delta.
In order to be eligible to take part in the Youth Parliament, students must be in either Grade 9 or 10. If there are no eligible applicants from these grades, then applications may be accepted from other grades. Any students who have previously participated in the program are not eligible to apply.
The Honourable Shane Thompson, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, spoke on the Youth Parliament, calling it “a transformative experience that empowers young people to engage with our democratic processes, build leadership skills, and create lifelong memories with peers from across the Northwest Territories. Our goal is to have every riding represented, and this extension ensures that students from Inuvik, Tu Nedhé Wilideh, Dehcho, Thebacha, and MacKenzie Delta still have the opportunity to apply.”
Students who are chosen for the Youth Parliament are responsible for bringing their own spending money for shopping and personal items, though expenses like airfare, accommodations, meals, and scheduled activities will be covered.
