Junior Ranger from Fort Resolution, N.W.T., lays wreath in Ottawa

Machaela Larocque is in Ottawa for the first time in her life, and it's already made a mark on her.

"This is the best trip I've ever been on for Junior Canadian Rangers," she said.

The 17-year-old Junior Ranger from Fort Resolution, N.W.T., is in the national capital to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies. She was to lay two wreaths on behalf of the Junior Rangers, the Canadian Rangers, and the Cadets. 

"I'm feeling pretty nervous," Larocque said beforehand. "I'm very overwhelmed, but seriously happy. It's such an honour.

"I get to represent a whole bunch of amazing kids that can do a bunch of amazing things. I represent dreams and ambition and motivation. I represent it all! I represent the Canadian youth."

Larocque isn't the only one from the N.W.T. to have a prominent role in today's ceremony in Ottawa. Sheila Anderson, whose son Jordan died in Afghanistan in 2007, is this year's Silver Cross mother and laid a wreath at the National War Memorial.

Larocque has already met with Anderson in Ottawa. And she wants to do a lot more while she's there — such as taking tours, and learning about how her country is governed.

"There is no better place on Earth," she said.

But Larocque said the most important thing about being in Ottawa is marking Remembrance Day, a holiday she feels is more significant than some of her peers realize.

"They're like, 'Hey Machaela, it's Remembrance Day, just chill out,' and I'm like, 'no, it's not just Remembrance Day. This is basically another Canada Day.

"We are celebrating the people and remembering all of the people that have died for our country."