Fort Simpson (July 02/04) - It was the essence of being... together.

More than 50 community members assembled at the long-term care centre in Fort Simpson for a cookout on June 23.

Aaron and Connie McNab picked up her grandmother, Margaret Michel, and brought her to the event. As Margaret sat contently at the end of one table with her brother, William Antoine, Connie watched from a distance and said, "That's the first time she got to see her brother in a long time."

There were similar scenes all over the grounds.

Meanwhile, volunteers barbecued moose, duck, fish and chicken. Bannock, salad, wild berries and Labrador tea were also served.

"This is really good," home care worker Beatrice Antoine said of the occasion. "They (some elders) said it was really good meat. They like it cooked outdoors, really smoked."

Elder Madeline Nelner agreed.

"I think it's beautiful," she said. "I really enjoyed my supper."

Several tables for dining and socializing were set up under a canvas tent. It turned out to be a sunny, warm and breezy evening. The Mackenzie River flowed nearby as logs burned in the fire pit and five Dene drummers pounded out a rhythm.

The occasion was organized by occupational therapy students Carie Julien and Ryan Sommer.

They said they hope it becomes a regular affair and they plan to co-ordinate similar events in other Deh Cho communities.

"It's basically a celebration of the elders," Sommer said.

The role of occupational therapists, they explained, is to help those with disabilities regain the capacity to do things for themselves. Clients' ailments range from physical, such as spinal cord injuries or arthritis, to psychological. "(We) assist clients on working on things that have meaning in their lives," said Julien, adding that it may mean making changes in the clients' environment, like rearranging aspects of their home if they are physically disabled.

Occupational therapists also aim to improve leisure and recreational involvement and enhance social interaction, as they did last week.

Leah Keats, the Deh Cho's home care co-ordinator, said the two occupational therapy students arranged the cookout extremely well.

"They're go-getters," Keat said. "Hats off to them. I think they did an excellent job."