Miley Wolki has seen the effects of the NWT’s housing crisis first-hand in her home community of Tuktoyaktuk.
From April 22 to 26, the 16-year-old student who attends Mangilaluk School had the opportunity to speak about the issue on her community’s behalf, taking up the mantle as minister responsible for Housing NWT at the legislative assembly’s 2024 Youth Parliament in Yellowknife.
“There are housing issues in my community,” she said the week after her visit to the capital. “I was able to speak for that issue and it felt really good.
“They’re problems I relate to.”
Wolki, who is currently in grade 10, was one of 19 young people from across the territory to participate in the youth parliament session. It was her second time participating, as she also made the trip to Yellowknife last year.
She was encouraged to participate by her grade nine teacher, Tori Constant, and while she initially had doubts that she would get involved, she was ultimately glad she did.
When asked about the highlights of the 2024 Youth Parliament, she pointed to meeting Commissioner Margaret Thom, who has since been replaced by Gerry Kisoun in the role. She also enjoyed as glimpsing the assembly’s mace.
“I think [my favourite part] would be seeing the commissioner for the last time,” she said. “She is probably the kindest lady you’ll meet.
“Another thing — I think they used the real mace for the first time in youth parliament. Getting to see the mace in the chamber room was really cool.”
Wolki also had the chance to get acquainted with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jay MacDonald, who she was paired with due to the inavailability of Nunakput MLA Lucy Kuptana.
“He gave us really good tips and it helped us during the mock sessions,” she said of MacDonald.
Wolki still has a few more years of high school to get through, but is already considering her options in terms of college and university. She isn’t set on her course of study just yet, but is interested in getting involved in theatre.
“I’m in drama right now, and that class really helped me get my confidence levels up and helped me not to stutter as much,” she said. “So drama and acting definitely [are fields I’m interested in].”
Much like drama class, participating in the latest youth parliament also gave Wolki a big confidence boost — so much so that she can picture herself serving as an MLA or minister in the future.
“I am willing to become a minister or MLA if the opportunity ever presents itself,” she said. “I do really care about my community and already my friends and most of my family and my teachers are encouraging me to become the next mayor, or a minister or MLA.
“I forget who said it, but during the youth parliament, somebody said ‘this is not goodbye, just see you later.’ [Serving in the legislative assembly] is something I’m definitely willing to do.”
As a two-year veteran of the NWT’s youth parliament, Wolki hopes other young people from across the territory will consider getting involved themselves.
It may not be for everyone, she said, but one doesn’t know until they try.
“Youth parliament helped me become more confident about my capabilities as a peer leader,” she said. “I encourage every single youth from any community to try this out.”