Inuvik (May 22/06) - Aurora College got a family of teachers it hadn't counted on when a raven couple built a nest on the main building.

Since then, the lives of the parents and what are now three chicks has been a constant topic of conversation, with a popular following watching the family on closed-circuit campus TV.

The nest wasn't supposed to be there, but the determination of the raven parents - and opinions raised in support by faculty and students - won the day.

The nest is perched on a beam at the peak of the college's new grey corduroy steel building. Built from twigs and branches - some the thickness of a man's fingers - about six weeks ago, the first nest was torn down.

"Over the next two to three days, the ravens rebuilt it. Then the majority of staff voted to keep the nest," said Miki O'Kane, campus director.

A large pan was put below the nest to collect droppings that might bomb students and staff entering the building.

Keeping the nest certainly sits well with two middle-aged traditional arts students, who explained bits of aboriginal lore associated with ravens.

"According to some lore, it's taboo to remove a raven's nest," said traditional arts instructor Marg Nazon. "You just don't do that, especially when they are having babies."

But college administration says once the raven family has flown the coop, the nest will be torn down and spikes put up to dissuade a return next year.

"Personally, I think the nest should stay there. It would be good promotion for the college," to be known as a place where ravens raise families, said Mary Okheena of Ulukhaktok, taking an arts course.

In Gwich'in, raven is "datrin." Many legends speak of ravens being tricksters, able to change into human shape to get revenge on human tormentors, Nazon said.

"My dad told me that if I ever needed anything, I should put out food for the ravens and ask them for it. Down the road you'll get it," said Elizabeth Cardinal of Tsiigehtchic of what is originally an old Cree legend.

"It would be a good education for the younger generation to show how nature takes its course," Nazon said.