Experience North 2020

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Experience North 2020 Students

Abby Shillinglaw

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Abby Shillinglaw grew up in New Liskeard, ON, and is very happy that she can call Northern Ontario her home. Growing up, Abby helped support her community by contributing many hours to fundraisers and events, as a dancer and instructor at a local studio. Being a resident of Northern Ontario, Abby will be able to contribute a unique perspective and specific knowledge of the area to her NPI work. She has completed the first 3 years of her undergraduate B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Environmental Science at Queen's University and hopes to return back home to the North after she graduates. Abby is passionate about the environment, conservation, and social environmental justice issues which are paths she plans pursue in the future. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, being active, and hanging out with her friends and family. She is looking forward to her 2020 summer placement with NPI.

Publications:

Even online you can be green and buy local

Andrew Jalak

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Andrew will be entering his third year of study at Wilfrid Laurier University, with a focus of communications studies in Waterloo Ontario. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Andrew has developed a great knowledge of Northern Ontario and the beauty this fine land has to offer, through opportunities and travels over his 20 years. Andrew’s thirst for travel has not held him within our rocky mountains, but to many places across the world, some of his favourites being’ Paris, Liverpool, London and Portrush in Northern Ireland. Not only is Andrew an avid traveler, but he is also very into sports, both as a participant and spectator. Growing up playing hockey, much like many Canadians, this is his sport of choice, still playing at the recreation level at Wilfrid Laurier. As a fan his favourite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL. His love for sports does not just end there, he also enjoys watching the Toronto Raptors of the NBA, and also playing golf. During the summer months, you can find Andrew spending time out at camp with his family, friends and of course his chocolate Labrador, Dolce.

Publications:

Tourism: Looking forward to seeing fellow Ontarians this summer. 

Communities Banding Together in Times of Uncertainty – Part 1

Communities Banding Together in Times of Uncertainty – Part 2

 

Christina Fera

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Christina Fera is a recent graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University where she majored in Communication Studies with a specialization in the Cultural and Creative Industries. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Christina moved to Southern Ontario in order to pursue her degree. Christina is planning on continuing her studies in the fall at Humber College in order to obtain a post graduate certificate in Public Relations. Previously, Christina worked as a Communications Specialist Student for a non-profit in Waterloo, Ontario, called Monica Place. She also spent two years working for Laurier’s Department of Residence as a residence life assistant and two years working for the Municipality of Sault Ste. Marie as an environmental initiatives student. In her free time, Christina loves spending time out at her camp on Lake Superior, taking her dog for walks and writing poetry.

Publications:

Ionic Mechatronics

9 Lives Design

Maia Kvas

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Born and raised in Marathon, ON, Mateo is proud to call Northern Ontario home. Heading into his fourth year of Arts & Science at McMaster University,  Mateo tries to bring an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. A firm believer in a self-directed North, he wants to apply his experiences in research and grassroots activism to help foster stronger and more sustainable communities across Northern Ontario. After spending his last few summers working at Pukaskwa National Park, Mateo has become passionate about protecting the region's unparalleled natural resources. Unsure of where his future will take him - other than back to the North - Mateo has gotten involved with initiatives across disciplines, from Strength & Conditioning coaching to forestry research and student governance. When he's not working, Mateo enjoys powerlifting and exploring the outdoors (which usually results in a little too much bushwhacking).

Publications:

Northern Ontario’s state of mental health and why

 

Mateo Orrantia

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Born and raised in Marathon, ON, Mateo is proud to call Northern Ontario home. Heading into his fourth year of Arts & Science at McMaster University,  Mateo tries to bring an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving. A firm believer in a self-directed North, he wants to apply his experiences in research and grassroots activism to help foster stronger and more sustainable communities across Northern Ontario. After spending his last few summers working at Pukaskwa National Park, Mateo has become passionate about protecting the region's unparalleled natural resources. Unsure of where his future will take him - other than back to the North - Mateo has gotten involved with initiatives across disciplines, from Strength & Conditioning coaching to forestry research and student governance. When he's not working, Mateo enjoys powerlifting and exploring the outdoors (which usually results in a little too much bushwhacking).

Publications:

Take me home, country roads: housing services and Indigenous mobility in Northern Ontario

Mercedes Labellemercedes-labelle-square

Mercedes Labelle graduated from McGill University in 2020 with an Honours Bachelor of Political Science and Urban Systems. During her studies, she focused on Canadian politics and public policy processes, specifically researching the uneven distribution of benefits and services between urban and rural communities. At McGill, Mercedes provided analysis on Canadian Politics for the McGill Journal of Political Studies (MJPS). Through her involvement with MJPS, Mercedes developed a deeper understanding of the diverse interests and needs of the Canadian population. Having grown up in Canada, the United States, and Spain, Mercedes is eager to return to Northern Ontario, where her family now resides. In her free time, Mercedes enjoys listening to podcasts, cooking, and reading.

Publications:

Staying connected in increasingly distant times: transportation in the COVID-Era

Can the government help Canada’s most vulnerable population amid a pandemic?

Experience North Office Locations

 

Sault Ste. Marie

1520 Queen St E.

SSM, ON.

P6A 2G4

 

 

Marathon

11-2 Ontario St.

Marathon, ON.

P0T 2E0

 

 

Haileybury

640 Latchford St. 

Haileybury, ON.

P0J 1K0

 


"This summer has given me the chance to hone my abilities as a researcher, writer, interviewer, and Excel spreadsheet-maker. It feels like I’ve been granted an all-access backstage pass to the region I grew up in, and I can’t believe how much I’ve learned. "

– Mateo Orrantia (Marathon)

"This summer placement has allowed me to spend my weekdays learning about the regions of Northern Ontario and my weekends out exploring them – I couldn’t ask for anything more. "

– Abby Shillinglaw (Temiskaming Shores)


"I would recommend the Experience North program to anyone who has an interest in community-level development, research and data analysis in Northern Ontario. "

– Mercedes Labelle (North Bay)


"Coming back a second year did not feel like coming back to the same job because NPI has so many different projects and skills needed to complete them that every experience/task feels brand new! "

– Maia Kvas (Timmins)


"I was excited to be able to take what I learned in school and apply it to this role. Through working as a Communications Officer, I was able to gain professional experience related to my field. "

– Christina Fera (Sault Ste. Marie)


"Thanks to Northern Policy Institute, I have been given the opportunity to be immersed in the realm of public policy and debate and continue expanding my knowledge in the field of communications. "

– Andrew Jalak (Sault Ste. Marie)

Thank You to our Sponsors

 

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