Minister Aglukkaq Announces Support to Help put Students on Ice - Program supports youth and Aboriginal leadership and fosters understanding and respect for the Arctic

OTTAWA, April 14, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, announced Parks Canada's sponsorship of student participation in Students on Ice, an award-winning organization offering unique educational expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic. Through this unique initiative, Parks Canada is supporting youth and Aboriginal leadership development and building connections between northern and southern Canada.

Through a three year agreement, Parks Canada will contribute approximately $150,000 a year to sponsor 13 new student participants per year in the Students on Ice program - seven selected from the North and six from the South.

For the seven students selected in the North, Parks Canada will be creating seven new summer jobs in northern national parks. The application process for these northern positions will be launched on the Parks Canada website (http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/apprend-learn/glace-ice/glace-ice.aspx). The six students selected from the South have been identified through an established selection process for Parks Canada summer jobs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver.

The 13 students will be together July 9-24, 2014 as Students on Ice participate in a ship and land-based expedition exploring the eastern Canadian Arctic and western Greenland. In this first year, the program will feature Torngat Mountains National Park (Labrador). This program will be offered again in 2015, featuring Sirmilik National Park (Nunavut), and in 2016 featuring Auyuittuq National Park (Nunavut).

Quick Facts

• In addition to a summer job with Parks Canada, the selected students will fully participate in the Students on Ice program and will be assigned a project to reach out and connect with Canada's youth through videography and other social media.
  
  
• The participants will have an opportunity to promote their Arctic experiences to Parks Canada visitors and through urban outreach.
  
  
• Canada's North is home to some of the world's most spectacular scenery, unique wildlife and pristine wilderness. Northern national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas are key natural, cultural, recreation and tourism assets.
  
  
• Parks Canada has a number of existing programs that engage young Canadians, including: My Parks Pass; Canada's Coolest School Trip; the Parks Canada Youth Ambassador Program; and engaging interpretive and educational experiences at many parks and sites. Through projects like these, Parks Canada seeks to better connect with young Canadians and share the treasures of our collective heritage with the next generation.

Quotes

"I'm proud to support participation in the Students on Ice Program. Through this initiative, our Government is contributing to the development of future youth and northern Aboriginal leaders, helping to build bridges between Northern and Southern Canada, and increasing connection among Canada's youth to Parks Canada's special places."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Canada's Environment Minister and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Students on Ice is thrilled to be working with Parks Canada to help provide 13 youth with an inspiring, once-in-a-lifetime educational opportunity in the Canadian Arctic. By working together, we will help these future leaders foster a new understanding and respect for the Arctic, the planet and become globally minded ambassadors."

Geoff Green, Founder, Executive Director and Expedition Leader, Students on Ice

Related Product

Backgrounder: Parks Canada and Students on Ice

Associated Links

Parks Canada: http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/apprend-learn/glace-ice/glace-ice.aspx
Students on Ice: www.studentsonice.com

About Parks Canada

Parks Canada works to ensure that Canada's historic and natural heritage is presented and protected for the enjoyment, education and appreciation of all Canadians, today and in the future. Through a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites and four national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada sets the stage and invites Canadians, as well as people from around the world, to engage in personal moments of inspiring discovery of our treasured natural and historic places.

About Students on Ice

Students on Ice is an award-winning organization offering unique educational expeditions to the Antarctic and the Arctic. Their mandate is to provide students, educators and scientists from around the world with inspiring educational opportunities at the ends of the Earth and, in doing so, help them foster a new understanding and respect for the planet.

SOURCE: Parks Canada

Office of the Minister of the Environment
819-997-1441

Ashley Brasfield
Manager, Communications and Media Relations
Students on Ice
819-827-3300

Media Relations
Parks Canada
819-953-8371
www.twitter.com/parkscanada