Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Rae (May 27/02) - What do duck soup, skinning caribou and drying beaver skin all have in common?

They are all essential parts of the Dogrib tradition and the students at Elizabeth Mackenzie elementary school in Rae learned first hand, the beauty of their culture.

All 253 students, from kindergarten to Grade 6 took part in the school's third annual Culture Fair last week.

For a month they have been preparing projects individually or in groups focusing on their culture, tradition and experience, from spiders, to traditional sewing, and even Rayrock mine.

Principal Rosa Mantla decided to put a new spin on the school's annual science fair, when she realized many young people had lost touch with their roots.

"I was aware that many younger parents are not living or practising their culture at home," said Mantla.

"It is something children need to learn."

Arielle Martin's project was to interview an elder about their way of life, and the changes they have seen in the North.

Martin learned about living on the land through her grandfather's eyes.

"One question was 'Have you ever seen a bush man?' and he said 'yes.' I didn't know that before," said Martin.

Grade 3 teacher Therese Mantla took her class on a three-day trip caribou hunting trip on the land.

The students experienced skinning, drying and eating caribou meat. They researched their migratory patterns, the uses of their skin, and to respect all parts of the animal. They illustrated their experiences in reports and drawings.

"In the bush the kids got to taste their native food. Here all they eat is junk. After the trip they realized the struggle of their people," said Mantla, who has been teaching at the school for four years.

Mantla noticed there was a drastic change in the children's behaviour on the trip. She said highly strung students became calmer and took instruction better.

"I wish they had school out in the bush," said Mantla.

Dalton Dryneck's Grade 5 class learned about the beaver.

"They are good swimmers, they eat birch bark flowers, and they build lodges," recited Dryneck without hesitation.