Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 20/01) - Spotting a bald eagle and a wolverine was a big highlight for Melanie Kimiksana during a trip to Ivvavik National Park.

Kimiksana said the land was really nice, with lots of mountains and little streams, and that it was also nice getting to better know those who accompanied her to the park.

Kimiksana and five other members of Michelle Tomasino's Grade 10 wildlife class visited the park, and conducted activities pertaining to their studies.

Tomasino went along, as did volunteers Oded Berger and Greta Vasadi, as well as Parks Canada wardens Herbert Allen and Karsten Heuer.

Desmond Norman was another student who went. He liked the hikes, and going up hills and seeing what lay on the other side. He also enjoyed taking part in the bird surveys.

"I liked the scenery, I liked looking at far away mountains," Norman said.

The other students who took part were Candice Smith, Vanessa Bergeron, James Wilson and Cynthia Hunt.

Tomasino explained the trip was a good experience for the students.

"There were hikes every day and we played games at night," Tomasino said.

"We had school activities during the day related to the caribou and shelter building and survival skills.

"The scenery was incredible. We saw hundreds of caribou, hundreds, crossing the river right in front of us."

She said the Parks Canada officers were very helpful. She also thanked the sponsors: the Beaufort Delta Education Council, Parks Canada, and Aklak Air/Inuvialuit Development Corp.