Thirteen-year-old Virgil calls Iqaluit, Nunavut home. He speaks both English and Inuktitut and though he’s interested in typical kid sports and hobbies, he also takes pride in his heritage. Virgil is an excellent traditional drummer and drum dancer and loves nothing more than to be out on Frobisher Bay in his father’s boat. He’s an expert on the area and its many natural wonders, often giving tours to the locals.

Kobi (10) and her family have run away and joined the carnival! The Gibbs operate a corn dog business and travel to different festivals all across Canada and the US in their motor home. Kobi even attends a special traveling school! Kobi works hard at school and the corn dog stand and contrary to what most kids would think, her down time is not spent riding the “Drop of Fear,” but rather hanging out around the Conklin community with her classmates.

THE SWAP: Kobi, who has been practically everywhere in North America ventures up to the “Great White North.” How will she face trying to throat sing, drum dance and eat local delicacies of frozen (i.e. fresh) caribou? Meanwhile, Virgil travels “South” to Toronto and the Canadian National Exhibition. He will get his first taste of corn dogs, and tackle his swap while preparing the perfect corn dog, running a game booth and riding the “Drop of Fear!”

SWAPPERS JOURNAL - KOBI

My SWAP experience was really awesome. I loved going to Nunavut. It was the best trip of my life so far. The coolest thing that happened was throat singing and drum dancing. I made two new friends. I was most scared when I had to clean the seal skin. I was most proud when I throat sang and drum danced successfully. I will remember hanging out with my new friends Mary and Janice forever. Also I will remember throat singing and drum dancing. Overall, being on TV was cool. You guys are all the coolest. I’ll miss you.

SWAPPERS JOURNAL - VIRGIL

My SWAP experience was fun because I got to learn new stuff and meet Kobi’s family and see what they do. Kobi’s family was fun; they showed me lots of new stuff I never knew such as how to make corn dogs. The most interesting thing that I did was the Drop of Fear. At first I didn’t really want to go on because I was scared but the cameraman convinced me to do it so I did, then we did it again with the film. Then I wanted to go again! I was most scared when we were making the corn dogs. I stopped for a moment because I didn’t know how much they cost how much the change was so Kobi’s dad had to help me. I would like to say thank you and I had a wonderful time with them.