Yellowknife (Jun 30/06) - Speaking and learning Inuvialuktun is something that comes naturally to Lance Gray.

The grade 8 student was recently recognized for his efforts in the language class at Samuel Hearne.

Being near the top of his class is something that Gray is used to.

He's received the award every year he's been in school since kindergarten.

"I think the language is being taken away from us with time and it's something we should work to keep around," said Gray.

His mother agrees the language is important which is why she has been supportive of his traditional education.

She would speak to him in Inuvialuktun and play traditional games too.

Her fondest memory of Lance's interest in the culture came when he was only four years old.

"We were watching his great-grandfather Raddi Koiksak tell stories on TV, but Lance's dad and I couldn't understand what he was saying," said Camellia Gray.

It was then, that Lance told them what the stories were about and what he was saying.

"At first I just thought he was making it up, you know just playing around, but I got it confirmed from an uncle," she said.

Camellia was pleasantly surprised to see Lance's interest being sparked at such an early age.

"He already had a good understanding of the language and the words," she said.

Anna Pingo is a teacher at Samuel Hearne, and said Lance is a pleasure to teach.

"I've known Lance for his whole life but just recently became his teacher," said Pingo.

"He's a good listener and has a good understanding of what words mean."

Pingo said Lance is always one of the first students to answer a question or use the language to communicate.

"We are all so used to speaking english, some students forget that they should be speaking Inuvialuktun in class," said Pingo.

Lance's Inuvialuktun name is 'Saullaaq', after his great uncle Moses Raddi.

Drumdancing was another traditional activity that Lance grew to love.

"I joined the group in kindergarten, through a program at the school," he explained.

After six years with the dancing group, Lance found himself spending more time outside, playing soccer.

What will he do now, to keep his streak of accomplishments going?

"I'm going to keep trying to learn the language, one word at a time."