Copyright Kingstonist
Editorial note: The following is a submitted piece from École secondaire publique Mille-Îles here in Kingston, detailing the first leg of the second edition of the Youth Ambassador exchange between the Sister Cities of Scottsdale, Arizona and Kingston. In October 2023, École secondaire publique Mille-Îles and the Kingston Sister Cities committee welcomed two students and their teacher chaperone from Arcadia High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. The views and opinions shared do not necessarily reflect those of Kingstonist, nor has Kingstonist independently verified any of the content. From October 11 to 18, 2025, Kingston welcomed a delegation of youth ambassadors from its sister city, Scottsdale, Arizona. The three American students—Owyn, Oliver, and Luis—were hosted by their Kingston counterparts Erika and Léo, and their families. The immersive week provided a rich itinerary of educational and cultural activities, allowing the students to explore life in the Limestone City. Throughout the week, the students plunged into unique Francophone and Canadian experiences, including freshwater fishing in the crisp autumn air, a forest walk to observe the vibrant fall colours, a visit to a corn maze, apple picking, a picnic on Wolfe Island, and even braving the terrors of Fort Henry’s annual Fort Fright experience. On the educational and historical front, the youths explored diverse themes, from the Indigenous history of Cataraqui and the French presence at Fort Frontenac to the English conquest and the complex legacy of Sir John A. Macdonald. They also learned about contemporary issues facing First Nations and the reconciliation efforts inspired by Canadian icon Gord Downie, as well as the reality of the region’s penitentiaries and post-secondary institutions. A special evening performance was offered by the City of Kingston’s Music Officer. Furthermore, the Marine Museum of the Great Lakes graciously invited the group to explore its spaces, including a tour of the S.S. Keewatin, a historic Edwardian-era cruise ship. The delegation was officially received at Kingston City Hall, where they met with Mayor Paterson, a committed Francophile involved in the Sister City initiative. The immersion continued in the local school system: the ambassadors were not only hosted by Francophone families but also spent a day in a minority-language school environment. They participated in activities such as the Projet Empreinte program (the entrepreneurial program at École secondaire publique Mille-Îles), attended a presentation on Métis culture, and played the popular game Loup-Garou (Werewolf). In return, the students from Scottsdale shared the realities of life in Arizona with the students of Mille-Îles school. “It’s been a very rewarding experience so far. We’ve made great new friendships,” emphasized Léo, a Grade 9 student at Mille-Îles. Created after the Second World War by U.S. President Eisenhower, the Sister City organization’s mission is to promote strong relationships between nations through cooperation and community exchanges. These student ambassadors are practicing citizen diplomacy, one exchange at a time. The ties between Scottsdale and Kingston have existed for over 30 years, and this is the second edition of the Youth Ambassador exchange between sister cities. These personal and peaceful connections are increasingly valuable in the current political context: they forge new friendships and offer a better understanding of the challenges of daily life abroad. “We’re discovering a completely different way of life, but with people who are fundamentally very much like us,” affirmed Erika, Grade 10 Youth Ambassador. The exchange will continue in March 2026, when the Kingston delegation travels to Scottsdale to explore the diverse facets of life in Arizona. Léo concluded, “I’m already looking forward to exploring Scottsdale and seeing my new friends again!” Thanks to the Bureau de l’Éducation Internationale du Conseil des Écoles Publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, Visit Kingston and the CIty of Kingston for supporting this experience.
