Yellowknife (Apr 23/04) - At a certain age kids start looking around to see that there is a world outside of their own.

It's the perfect time for them to explore their Canadian heritage, says Sean Daly.

Grade 4-9 students across the NWT showed off their knowledge at the regional Historica Fair at William McDonald school, April 19-23.

The projects on display explored everything from Winnie the Pooh to the Firth sister's success in skiing.

Many students chose Northern specific topics, which was encouraged by the NWT organizers.

This is the 10th year for the National fair and the fifth for the NWT. William McDonald teacher Sean Daly has been involved from the start.

"It's an idea that has students look at that age-old Canadian thing -- what is our identity?" says Daly.

Excited about past

Daly recalls one student researching the immigration of her family to Canada in 1867. When he pointed out that it coincided with Confederation, the student was encouraged to dig even deeper into the history.

"You get the child engaged in learning. The learning continues past the time of the project," says Daly.

Ecole Allain St-Cyr students Ishai Forget-Manson, Christopher Moore and Emmanuel Foucault showed off their research on the Inuvialuit people.

"Some people don't know about this," said Forget-Manson when asked why they picked the subject.

"We think this is very good for the North," Focault said.

The Grade 5 students brought in a beaded jacket and seal skin slippers and mitts to show the judges.

Sixteen Yellowknife students will join nine Inuvik students at the Territorial Showcase at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, May 7. Five winners head to the national fair in Montreal, July 5-11.