Inuvik (Oct 16/06) - A recent national controversy about school fees won't make much difference in the Beaufort-Delta, where most students don't pay extra for things like art supplies and other materials.

Student Keith McDonald works on an acrylic painting at Inuvik's Samuel Hearne secondary school October 5. While art supplies can be expensive, students aren't asked to pay an extra fee, said teacher Barry McEvoy. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

Barry McEvoy, who teaches art at Samuel Hearne Secondary school in Inuvik, said it's been that way for years.

"We don't charge an extra fee," he said. And while art supplies like paint and clay can be expensive, McEvoy said, he's received enough funding to provide for his students.

"I've never been turned down for anything, but sometimes we buy things in increments," he said.

In recent weeks, the Canadian education system and media has been buzzing about school fees, after British Columbia's Supreme Court ruled schools can not demand fees for mandatory courses.

That suit's instigator, a Greater Victoria School Board trustee, argued that fees would alienate poorer families and create a two-tier system.

In 2003, territorial education minister Charles Dent issued a directive which said First Nations students would be exempt from paying fees.

This means that a teacher can legally ask students for extra money, so long as aboriginal students covered under treaties are exempt.

"Theoretically it's possible, but nobody chooses to do that," said Shawn Mc McCann, a spokesperson with the education department.

While most the NWT has no fees, McCann added that education authorities in Yellowknife have asked money from parents.

The decision is up to individual District Education Authorities, she said, who decide how they will act within the territorial law.

"The act says you can charge fees, but there's a directive instructing District Education Authorities not to charge to treaty students," she said.

Allan Pitcher, principal at Chief Paul Niditchie school in Tsiigehtchic, said it's important that students not pay extra fees.

"Everything is free for the kids. It's an understanding that all their needs, from pens to pencils to paper, will be taken care of," he said.

Of course, while Pitcher said funding is always scarce for community schools, he said classes like art can be taught with less expensive materials.

"Some younger students did a collage of the fall season, using twigs, leaves and things from nature," he said.

"You can do a lot with some cheap materials."

That reminded McEvoy of living in North-York Ontario as a child, and paying for art supplies in the schools.

"When I was young, if you wanted acrylic paints, you bought your own," he said.

But as most of the about 400 children who attend Samuel Hearne take an art class, McEvoy said it's important to include everyone.

"We buy decent stuff," he said.

"It's not the best you can get, but we keep it reasonable," he said.