John Curran
Northern News Services

Fort Good Hope (Aug 29/05) - As technology advances ever faster, the gap between generations is growing wider.

To help bridge this increasing divide, elders and youth recently gathered in Fort Good Hope to trade knowledge and share ideas about the future.

"It was a real eye-opener," said Tulita elder Laura Lennie. "It was really encouraging to hear the importance the young people place on the land."

Attending the meeting were five elders from each Sahtu community - along with a few extras from Fort Good Hope - and about 50 members of the Arctic Indigenous Youth Alliance.

Alliance member Deneza Antoine, originally from Fort Simpson, made the trip to the mouth of the Ramparts from his current home in Yellowknife.

The group is an important vehicle for young aboriginal Northerners, he said.

"Youth don't always know how to voice their concerns," he said, adding the Alliance gives participants that opportunity.

Pipeline hot topic

The proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline was a hot topic during the early-August gathering. "I don't think the youth want it and the elders support them," said Lennie.

Life in the North has changed a great deal for many, she said.

"Our food used to all come from the land, but now some families live on the store," she said. "I don't know how they do it, it's so expensive."

Her table is still full of caribou, fish and moose meat.

"It's so good for you," she said.

The youth took the time to ask many questions of their elders. "Not life changing questions, but stuff like, 'What did you do about mosquitoes in summer before there was bug dope?'" said Antoine. "It's all about re-connecting with our culture."

The elders also learned from the youth - especially about modern language.

"Things like volunteering, recycling and being environmentally conscious," he said. "The words are new, even though these have been important concepts for the Dene people of the North for thousands of years."

Both agreed Fort Good Hope did a great job hosting this year's gathering.

"The food was great and the people were so amazing," said Antoine.

A feast of moose and fish meat was held and the entire community came out. Everyone stayed for a drum dance, fire and hand games, he said.

"There were a lot of helpers," said resident Harold Cook. "Patricia Manual assisted with co-ordination, the catering was done by Betty Barnaby and Millie Manuel and Addy Tobac assisted with Norman Yakeleya."