Hay River Reserve (Aug 18/06) - Fifteen youth from around the Deh Cho now have a bit more knowledge about life on the land.

The youth participated in an ecology camp at Sandy Creek, just outside of the Hay River Reserve from August 8-14.

During a GPS exercise, youth learn how to enter waypoints and navigate. Sasha Cayen, left, Kyle Yakeleya and Hilary Norwegian concentrate on their GPS devices while Wayne Elleze watches. - photo courtesy of Danny Allaire

Robert Lamalice, who was on hand as one of the instructors, said the youth were eager to learn and participate if they were given detailed instructions.

Lamalice brought a caribou, moose meat, geese and whitefish to the camp. The youth took turns helping to cut up the caribou. They learned how to hold a knife properly while also holding onto the hide.

"They did really good," Lamalice said.

How to clean the animals and dry the meat was an important skill to teach the youth, he said. Lamalice also shared lots of stories about how to be safe in the bush.

For Hilary Norwegian from Jean Marie River, this was the first time at the camp.

Norwegian said she learned a lot about GPS and canoe safety. Canoeing became one of the favourite activities during the camp.

Learning about forestry was what Kelly Lafferty from Fort Simpson liked best.

The youth were taught how to estimate the height of a tree using a compass and angles.

They also aged the trees using core samples. One tree they found was 105 years old. It took 10 minutes to count the rings, Lafferty said.

The goal of the camp was to provide a good variety of activities for all the youth, said Allan Browning, the recreation manager for K'atlodeeche First Nation who organized the camp. Because the camp is not remote, community members were able to come in and share knowledge, Browning said.

The youth were also taken for a hike between Alexandra and Louise Falls with a guide who pointed out local plants. The participants did well at the camp and many are asking to stay longer, he said.

"It gives them a wide range of knowledge and hopefully they'll be able to use it," Browning said.

Although their days were packed with activities, most participants agreed that the best part came in the evenings.

"Sitting around the campfire listening to elders," was the best part, said Dorryann Martel from the Hay River Reserve.

During three evenings, elders came to share traditional stories and stories about their youth. The camp, which has been running since 2002, was sponsored by Dehcho First Nations and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Wildlife technician Danny Allaire taught participants how to use a global position system (GPS) and how to read maps.

The youth recorded all the trails in the area as practice. Allaire also showed youth how VHF collars, receivers and antennas work in the field by hiding collars around the camp for the youth to find.

For many youth, the camp teaches skills and changes attitudes.

"It really brings the positive out of those kids being out here," said Lee Thom, who visited the camp for a few days.