Chris Hunsley
Northern News Services

Fort Norman (June 13/05) - A petition to have religious classes as part of the Tulita school curriculum will get no support from the department of education.

"On behalf of the residents of Tulita, I am requesting that religion be re-introduced back into Chief Albert Wright school curriculum beginning 2005/06 school year," reads a letter from the band council signed by Chief Frank Andrew.

The letter and petition, signed by 29 people from the community of close to 500, was sent to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment and the Sahtu Divisional Board of Education on May 4.

Andrew did not return phone calls asking he elaborate on the community's request. The school principal declined comment and regional education authorities were not available.

The proposal has received support from Sahtu MLA Norman Yakeleya, who tabled the petition in the Legislative Assembly.

"Hopefully by this fall we'll see it in the school," said Yakeleya. "It adds value to their education and benefits the kids' lives."

He said he was not aware of whether the community was asking for classes on one or several religions, but explained he believes that with the support of the education authority the class could be implemented.

"There's so many forms we'll have to sit down and decide."

Students would have the choice, however, to opt out of the class.

"I don't think they'll be forced to take it," said Yakeleya.

It's not possible to bring religion back into school curriculum because it is a Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms issue, said Education Minister Charles Dent.

"Public school is non-denominational."

Section 2 of the Charter guarantees the freedom of religion and belief to all Canadians.

Special applications can be made by religious groups, for example Yellowknife Catholic Schools, but it would have to be a situation where the numbers warrant it, said Dent.

"It's possible to use the school after hours for (religious) activities, but we have to keep it out of official curriculum."