Deh Gah students and parents raising thousands for trip
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (Dec 01/00) - To some folks, raising $55,000 for a school trip may seem a monumental task.
For the parents and students at Deh Gah school in Fort Providence, it's something they enjoy.
Twenty students and five parents are planning to fly from Yellowknife to California in May 2001.
They have been catering meals, holding bake sales and operating the canteen at various functions to raise money.
Sophie Bonnetrouge, whose son Ruben Sanderson has signed up for the trip, said she doesn't have to drag herself to the events.
"I do enjoy it a lot," she said. "I enjoy cooking, fund-raising and baking."
She's reminded of how important fund-raising is when Ruben speaks excitedly about heading to the "Golden State." Bonnetrouge hopes to accompany her son.
"I did sign up. I believe there are eight parents who are interested but they can only take five, so I'm hoping to go. It will be scorching out there," she said, laughing.
Albertine Canadien has also been working hard since May to ensure her son, Charles, hops the plane to California. But she doesn't plan to be along for the ride.
"No, not this time. I went on the last trip when they went to Ottawa, Toronto and Niagara Falls," she said. "I figured maybe somebody else could go."
Like Bonnetrouge, she said she enjoys the fund-raising activities.
"It gives me reason to get out more often instead of staying home," she said.
By being in the thick of things, Canadien is more likely to remember to ask everyone to buy a ticket on a snowmobile or the Christmas stockings being raffled off as well.
Principal Jane Arychuk said the students are parents are "well on their way" to reaching their financial goal, having accumulated more than $20,000 so far.
Each student in responsible for raising $2,500. The funds collected from each event is divided by the number of students and parents who volunteered.
"It's been pretty amazing the parental involvement in this," Arychuk said.
As part of the 10-day trip in May, the students have been invited to perform at American Indian Cultural Days in San Diego. They plan to perform hand games, drumming and dancing to demonstrate some aspects of Dene culture.
While in San Diego, they will also visit the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. A stop in Anaheim, the home of Disney World, is also part of the itinerary.
It's an experience the students will likely never forget and it wouldn't be possible without the generosity of the community.
"I'd like to thank the organizations and the businesses for their support and the community members as well," Bonnetrouge said.
