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NNSL Photo/graphic

(Left to right) Jason Dayman, George Vlanich, Gerry St. Amand and Ruby St. Amand were out at their site on the Mackenzie Delta unloading a sled of wood. The wood will be used to construct a camp for the school to bring students on the land. The program is looking to start in the next school year. - photo courtesy of Jason Dayman

Camp on the land

Dez Loreen
Northern News Services

Inuvik (May 05/06) - A program in place for next year hopes to get all 460 students of Sir Alexander Mackenzie school to spend some time in the wilderness.

In 2004/2005, the school sent out 300 students for various excursions in the Delta, said vice-principal Jason Dayman.

"They had some really good experiences out on the land with camps at Rachel Reindeer," said Dayman.

Since the camps were so successful, administration decided the school should have its own plot of land.

Ruby St. Amand, the school counsellor, was the person who got the ball rolling. She approached the territorial department of Municipal and Community Affairs and the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

"I went to (them) for the land use. It all went well," said St. Amand.

The piece of land is located close to St. Amand's existing camp, which is a 40-minute boat ride out of Inuvik.

In the winter months, the camp can be reached by a 30-minute snowmobile ride, which will be good for ice fishing trips, said St. Amand.

Dayman said now that the land has been acquired, the materials will be brought out over the next few weeks.

"We've had donations of materials like wood for the tent frames, and that really helps," said Dayman.

The plan for the area of land is to have a cook tent, a few tents for sleeping and a classroom-style building.

Five tent frames will be constructed. The canvas arrived at the end of April.

"This will be a great opportunity for students to learn traditional ways of life," said Dayman.

The plan is to bring every one of the students in the school to the site, starting with fishing trips in September.

A few trips to the site have already been made to drop off wood. Dayman said once the snow melts, construction of the tent frames will start.

The organizers are still looking for any donations from the community.