Yellowknife (Feb 26/03) - You're never too old to enjoy a lively game of tug-a-rope or slide down a hill on a sheet of plastic.

Kalemi Dene school principal Angela James plays dizzy sticks with her students during the Education Week launch. - Erin Fletcher/NNSL photo

And on Monday a group of adults from the GNWT, NWT Recreation and Parks Association and Sports North ignored their inhibitions and joined an enthusiastic group of Kalemi Dene school students in their fitness trail.

They pulled on their snowpants and mittens to run alongside the young students and learned traditional Dene and Dogrib games like dechi danagogeze or dizzy sticks, and tug-of-war.

The activity was a launch of NWT Education Week. This year's theme is "Choose to move...move for health" to encourage students to become more physically active.

Even GNWT Education, Culture and Employment deputy minister Loretta Foley joined in the fun by jumping in to help students win a friendly game of tug of war.

"I'm excited to be with the kids and participate," laughed Foley.

"Our bodies are very important and we can't neglect them and sometimes I think we have."

It was Courteney McLean's Grade 2, 3 and 4 class that organized the nine interactive activities to launch the week of celebrations.

Although the GNWT said physical activity statistics reveal that NWT residents are less active then they were a decade ago, McLean said her students are very energetic.

"Our students are quite active even in the winter time outdoors," said McLean, adding this week she wants to promote the education week philosophy by reinforcing the student's activities.

McLean and her students took three weeks to design the fitness trail which included all their favorite games.

"We wanted to keep traditional games because the school is cultural."

After the games students and visitors poured back into the school to enjoy caribou stew and bannock.

Ecole St. Joseph school also won a draw for a $1,000 gift certificate to enhance their fitness program from the Education Week planning committee.

More than 30 NWT schools entered their name in the draw.