Yellowknife (Feb 20/04) - As in the Gwich'in legend The Navigator, there's nothing like cutting up some fish to get the people out.

While the students and their relatives who attended the very first Lunchtime Reading Program at Sir Alexander Mackenzie elementary school last week did not emerge from the belly of a fish, they certainly appeared to enjoy reading The Navigator.

The short story -- about a man who constructs a canoe for a journey, befriends a raven and then frees scores of men and women trapped inside the belly of a loche and jackfish -- was merely a taste of tales to come.

"It won't always be a traditional story, but we'd like to do as many as we can," said Beaver volunteer Karlis Rokpelnis who teamed with SAMS volunteer Ruth Wright to make this program a reality.

"When Boreal Books heard about it, they came to me to support it," said Rokpelnis of the efforts of local organizations and businesses to support the pair's idea.

Boreal Books is offering a 10 per cent discount to all participants and other donations have included 40 lbs of potatoes from Wrangling River Supply, other sundries from the Northern grocery store, funding from the Gwich'in Tribal Council and a healthy helping of country food from the Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Association.

For Sharon Rogers, who attended the first Wednesday session with her granddaughter Cheyanne Carpenter, the melding of local food and stories was the perfect combination.

"It's great because we get to listen to a traditional story and eat traditional food, too," she said.

In the kitchen, volunteer Ruth Wright seems pleased she's cooking healthy meals for a low cost.

Wright also hopes that in addition to improving one's reading, healthier eating may also come about as a result of the program.

"Hopefully, the kids and relatives who come out will go home and say 'Mom, remember when we had this (at the program) and try it again," said Wright.