John Curran
Northern News Services

Fort Good Hope (Nov 28/05) - Elder Alfred Masuzumi understands the learning process better than many people - especially when it comes to the skills and confidence needed to live on the land.

"There is a difference between most teaching in school and traditional learning," he said from Chief T'Selehye school in Fort Good Hope. "Right from the time our young people are babies, they learn by watching their parents work with their hands, so they respond well to that."

After four or five demonstrations of a new skill or task, he said aboriginal parents then have their children try to do it for themselves.

Masuzumi has now brought this style of traditional teaching into the classroom as part of the Elders in the School program running in Good Hope. Each Thursday, he and other elders from around the community work in the classrooms to teach Dene ways and traditions. In his case he's been showing them how to make snowshoes, caribou and moose babish - durable lace made from animal hide - as well as other gear needed to survive on the land.

"Kids nowadays might not get to learn this," he said. "It is important they understand there is more to life than what they see right in front of them and that we keep our traditions alive."

This isn't the elder's first time in the school working with students. Last year he helped out as a substitute teacher when needed.

"He's quite comfortable with the kids and we're glad to have him here," said Harry MacNeil, community support teacher at the school. "It's great, he's been doing demonstrations and giving talks about the old days on the land."

This year, Masuzumi said he is far too busy with his new post as a member of the Sahtu Health and Social Services Board to supply teach, so the elder program has been a great way to maintain a presence with the youth - especially considering the important knowledge he has to pass on.

"The land has many stories to it and they have to learn them," he said. "Our knowledge is unique. It makes you self-sufficient when you go out on the land and gives you the confidence to enjoy yourself while you're out there."