Local author Devon Flynn was at Books and Company today celebrating the launch of his first book, "Elsewhere, Canada."

By Tommy Osborne

Local Author

Local author celebrates launch of first book highlighting travels across Canada

Mar 2, 2024 | 2:34 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Local author Devon Flynn celebrated the launch of his first book today at Books and Company. Meeting with customers, Flynn shared stories about his experiences in the Katimavik program, which is detailed in his book “Elsewhere, Canada.”

Flynn explained the Katimavik program started in the 1970s, and its all about sending youth aged 17-21 across the country to volunteer and meet new people. Flynn took part in 2005 after graduating highschool, and he says the experience for him and many others who take part in the program was life changing.

“I like to use the word trajectory, especially in hindsight. The lessons you learned were quite impactful as you are volunteering in all these different organizations and talking and living with people from across Canada. You realize there there’s a lot more to your country and even to yourself, which you figure out much later on,” he said.

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Flynn and several of the people he travelled with in the program. Photo courtesy: Devon Flynn

Originally from Hazelton, Flynn travelled to Newfoundland, Quebec, and Ontario. Having the chance to see three very distinct areas of the country showed him just how diverse Canada really is, which had a huge impact on him when he was just leaving high school.

“I found it very important for people in small towns, where they seem to think ‘this is where I’m going to spend the rest of my life,’ but also even those growing up in large cities. I’ve had conversations with people from Vancouver who have yet to experience the Great North or even the gateway to the north, Prince George. So having those opportunities to get out and see more of your province and your country is very important,” he said.

While the Katimavik program has changed and evolved, especially since the covid lockdowns, the program does still exist and continues to send youth across the country. When asked what advice he would give to a young person who is unsure on whether or not they want to travel, Flynn had simple advice: “get out of town.”

“Go do those things, be a little uncomfortable, meet some new people, go to new places, take in the culture and see what your country is about,” he said.

Flynn took part in many volunteer activities during his time with Kativamik. Photo courtesy: Devon Flynn

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