Moving away hasn’t stopped him from giving back and staying connected, working on the issues that matter to his community. Justin Milton is from Pond Inlet, Nunavut. He’s been in Ottawa since 2016 when he moved there for school. He completed both years of Nunavut Sivuniksavut and then went to Carleton University, attending the Indigenous Enrich to Support program for a year. When he completed school, he worked with an Inuit organization in Ottawa. Now he works with Ikaarvik, a non-profit based in Pond Inlet. He collaborates with researchers who want to study in the Arctic and also with youth, supporting strong relationships, self-determination and knowledge mobilization as the community engagement facilitator.

Milton has always been fascinated by science, physics, the land and how the world works. At the same time, the work he does honours his core values. “It's important to me that I retain my cultural heritage and my history. The connection I have with the Arctic is very special… This is perfect, because it combines what I love about science and my passion for keeping the Inuit’s ‘Inukness’” he explains.

Leaving Pond Inlet to pursue his education was challenging. Newly graduated from high school, he was afraid but it was a chance to get to know himself, what he loved and set boundaries for himself. Dealing with homesickness and financial challenges was tough, but he gained confidence and self-sufficiency on this journey of self-development.

If he could advise a student based on his own experiences it would be to say, “The fear you have in front of you is temporary, it's not going to be there forever.” He knows change can be scary at first but once you make the leap, you find that it will all work out in the end.

Milton faced many obstacles as he adjusted, like the culture shock of going from a small town in Nunavut to a city. From knowing everyone to not knowing anyone, navigating somewhere new and interacting with people from all over the world, there was a lot to get used to. He had to find self-discipline, work-life balance and learn to be self-sustaining after being part of a large family.

Working from home, his days range from three to seven hours and he works on a range of projects. Sometimes he has work on weekends and overnights, too. Creating a separation from work and home time is something he has found important.

If he could give his younger self advice it would be to own his mistakes. From schoolwork to his employment, he feared failure and letting people down. That held him back from trying new things sometimes. “If someone told me that failing is okay and failing is actually part of the process of succeeding, then I think I would have been a little easier on myself,” he reflects.

To maintain his wellness, Milton tries to get active and take deep breaths. He’s found taking breaks and feeding himself is often more conducive than pushing through a mental block. He’s learned a lot living on his own and working in different roles and he’s tried to put it all into practice.

For inspiration, Milton looks to art, beauty and music. Whether it’s a song or a painting, he finds the creations of others get him passionate and excited. He says, “Art really is a very potent and effective way to see people's raw, unprocessed emotions… that very real human thing.”

In closing, Milton shares, “Don't be afraid of the world. The world is there for you to explore. Don't be afraid to take that college course you've always been thinking about or don't be afraid to take that job. Don't be afraid to move to other places. Because life is short. Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can and I can promise you, if you put yourself out there and experience the world, then I guarantee you'll come back a changed and a better person.”

He moved away but he hasn’t stopped giving back and staying connected. Justin Milton is working on the issues that matter to his community, fostering healthy research relationships and inspiring engaged Arctic youth. Turning his lifelong love of science and curiosity about how the world works into a career, he’s found satisfaction in doing what brings him to life in service of a place close to his heart.

Thanks to Alison Tedford Seaweed for authoring this article.