Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Oct 12/01) - Teachers have a new tool this year.

One Gwich'in plant kit is being sent to each of the schools in Aklavik, Tsiigehtchic and Fort McPherson.

At least one of the schools in Inuvik will receive a kit as well.

The kit consists of pressed plants mounted on sheets of paper, and other materials, as well as a table detailing what areas are suitable for which grades.

The kit is to be used in conjunction with a new book, Gwich'in Ethnobotany, which was produced by the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute, Aurora Research Institute, and Parks Canada.

Alan Fehr, superintendent with Parks Canada, Western Arctic explained the book and plant kit took about three years to do. Hunters and others in each of the communities were interviewed and research was conducted in archives.

As well, plants for the kit had to be collected, pressed, mounted and then labelled.

"It took a lot of work, a lot of effort and a lot of time," Fehr said. "But I think it in the long run it'll be worth it."

He pointed out the kit is designed to enhance studies, and used old medicine as an example, whereby students can actually see an alder plant.

"We're hoping that in time teachers will be able to use it maybe as a way to get students out looking at plants nearby," Fehr said.

Last week Fehr said they were in the process of distributing the plant kits. There will be one located at the Inuvik Research Centre, and another one at the Gwich'in Social and Cultural Centre.