FORT MCPHERSON - Students at Chief Julius school are raising funds for a trip to Germany, which is part of a cultural exchange.

Teacher Jaksun Grice said eight students were selected from the school's leadership program, on the basis of grades and attendance.

Chief Julius School teacher Jaksun Grice will accompany some students to Germany in May for a cultural exchange. The students will talk about environmental issues in the Gwich'in Settlement Region. - NNSL file photo

The chosen students, Jennifer Greenland, Ashton McLeod, Shayla Snowshoe, Jocelyn Blake, Jeffery Robert, Tony McDonald, Wade Vaneltsi and Daniel Robert, will be staying from May 8 to 21 with host families in Dresden.

They will visit schools to talk about life in the Arctic, as well as environmental issues happening in the Gwich'in Settlement Region.

In return, German students are set to go rafting on the Snake River in July 2008.

Grice said Kai Andersh, who is the chairman of a German environmental group, organized the trip.

The group aims to protect wild spaces around the world and specifically Canada's Arctic.

"It's a natural fit," Grice said of the exchange.

"German people are interested in the North and the environment, and the students will be presenting who they are and issues surrounding the Gwich'in Settlement Region."

As a way to raise money for the trip, Grice said students are holding bingoes and raffles around Fort McPherson.

He also said Canadian North helped sponsor the program, by offering free and discounted tickets.

With a few months to prepare, he said he is enthusiastic they can meet their funding goal.

"It's an incredible opportunity," he said.

Grice and chaperone Gladys Alexie will accompany the students on the trip.