Inuvik (Mar 27/06) - A young boy stands on the bank of the East Channel of the Mackenzie River, takes a deep breath, then launches himself down the hill on a toboggan with a whoop and holler.

All 23 elementary classes from Sir Alexander MacKenzie school in Inuvik are taking field trips out to Rachel Reindeer’s cabin for cultural camp during the next month.

The Inuvik Native Band is hosting its annual series of classes that focus on teaching kids Gwich’in values, history and traditional skills.

“We started in the first week of March and our last day is April 6,” said Frank Edwards, Inuvik Band program co-ordinator, driving south on the way to the camp, located some 20 minutes from Inuvik, to deliver caribou soup and bannock for the kids’ lunch.

“Rachel Reindeer was a Gwich’in elder who lived out at the camp to continue practising our culture and to teach her children and grandchildren how to live out on the land,” Edwards explained as he sat at the wheel of his Trailblazer, navigating the ice road south to the camp.

Pulling into the camp, a scattering of kindergarten students dot the slope leading up to the camp - enjoying some playtime before lunch.

Standing in the camp’s classroom - a small building at the back edge of the camp - traditional teacher Liz Hansen says it’s important for the young kids to grow strong roots with their heritage.

“We talk with the kids about how things are done today compared to how their grandparents did things,” said Hansen.

But students spend little time in the classroom, Hansen said.

“We take them out on nature walks to set snares for muskrat,” she said. “We teach them about drying fish and meat and about traditional clothing.”

At lunchtime kids have home-made caribou soup and bannock, made with lots of love by Sylvia Firth.

“Some parents can’t afford to bring their children out to a camp such as this, so this gives the kids a great experience,” Edwards said.

The camp consists of about six buildings, including a smokehouse, a makeshift dining hall, and a classroom.

“James Firth, a former Inuvik Band chief, built this place as an outdoor classroom,” said Hansen, before organizing the swath of children for a nature hike along one of the many trails near the camp.

Firth’s intentions live on in the lessons taught today.