Yellowknife (Oct 10/03) - On any given Wednesday night, the K'alemi Dene school is transformed from a place of learning into a safe, welcoming haven for young girls.

Once a week three teachers volunteer their time and open school doors for a ts'eko circle meeting.

Ts'eko means "girl becoming woman" in Dogrib, and teacher Courteney McLean explains that the circle is an important symbol in dogrib culture.

Teachers Meagan Wowk and Eileen Erasmus join her at the school.

The teachers started the meetings last winter as a form of teaching, but the girls are learning things they never would during the regular school day.

"We try to teach them about women's issues," McLean says. "We see a need in our community for strong role models."

Every Wednesday is a different activity, with an opening and closing prayer circle always included.

On Oct. 8 the girls got messy making pumpkin tarts for the Thanksgiving moose stew feast at the school.

One week is learning to bake a seasonal treat, and the next week may be swimming.

The school is warm and cosy and the bond between the teachers and students is obvious. Everyone is having fun.

Joined the circle

This is the first year seven-year-old Mandy Goulet has joined the circle. For her it's just a fun place to hang out with her friends.

"We get to do fun stuff," she says. If she wasn't at the school Wednesdays, Goulet thinks she would be bored.

McLean thinks the girls really benefit from the weekly meetings.

"You see a real sense of importance in the girls," she says. "This is a place for them."

Principal Angela James knows the activities don't matter. It's building strength in these young Dene women that matters most.