Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Snowdrift (Oct 22/01) - Though he's lived in Fort Resolution, Yellowknife and spent time in Fort Smith, this Great Slave Lake community will always be home to James Marlowe.

On the shores of McLeod Bay during the July spiritual gathering, James Marlowe, the big guy in the middle, takes a break with some of the younger members of the community. - Jorge Barrera/NNSL photo

Marlowe knows the community well; he was born and raised here.

"It's a traditional community," he said. "It's quiet, there's the land, animals, fish. It's very peaceful. And my relatives and family are there."

Marlowe, who works for the band council, has spent much of his time helping others draw strength from their cultural roots.

"I was doing a lot of work in languages, trying to promote the Chipewyan language, which we are losing rapidly," Marlowe said.

The community secured funding to run a language camp during this year's spiritual gathering near Fort Reliance, a pre-school language program and a local radio show.

A three-week course of night classes was aimed at resource people from the south working in the community.

"They were quite interested, and by the end people were starting to speak a little Chip here and there," said Marlowe.

The community also draws on the experience and wisdom of its elders, he said.

That's of particular importance today, as Lutsel K'e is faced with the prospect of a diamond mine being built in the watershed of its most sacred river, the Lockhart.