Terry Halifax
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Mar 22/02) - Some of the best things learned in life are not always the things learned in school.

The Nihtat Gwich'in's Rachel Reindeer cultural camp teaches many of those things.

Each spring and summer, the Gwich'in host the camp to pass on the legacy of their language and culture to their young people and their playmates, too.

Frank Edwards, program co-ordinator for the Nihtat Gwich'in Council, said the camp is getting more and more popular each year.

The Rachel Reindeer Camp is named for the woman who used to spend her summers at the camp catching and drying fish, and going on spring hunts and summer outings.

"After she passed away, the band started to use the camp for cultural programs for the schools and college," Edwards said.

Through elders, hunters and trappers, students learn about the Gwich'in culture and language. Subsistence on the land like trapping, fishing and trapping. Survival and safety are also part of the program.

"They set a few snares and nets and the different fish we catch in the river," he said. "They also have fun with snowshoeing and sliding -- they go home pretty tired."

Kindergarten teacher Janice Beland said the 32 children almost had as much fun as the teachers and parents at the camp.

"It's been very fun and very interesting," Beland said.

While it's nice to get the children out of the classroom and into the sunshine, she says the kids take back a real taste of life on the land.

"It's a nice day to be outside and they're learning things they wouldn't in the classroom," she said. "Some of the kids get to come on the land with their parents or grandparents, but some of the kids don't, so it's a great experience for them."

Eileen Edwards was raised in the bush and she knows how to make a good batch of bannock and caribou soup.

She says the kids can really pack away the food after a morning working and playing in the fresh air.

"They really have good appetites out here," she said. "I love to watch them eat."

Five-year-old Allison MacDonald had a great time while at the camp and especially enjoyed the lunch.

"We went sliding and we got to take some dogs for a walk," she said.

"The teacher showed us how to catch rabbits and how to build a snow house, but I don't remember what it's called."

Edwards feels good about helping to carry on the legacy of the camp's original owner and he's also happy he can help educate the people of Inuvik to the traditional side of Gwich'in life.

"They continue cultural activities that their elders feel are important to them," Edwards said. "Rachel Reindeer felt it was important to carry on with these skills and traditions."

"It's also important that other people learn about the Gwich'in way of life."