Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, March 19, 2007

AKLAVIK - Eleven students were celebrated earlier in the month in Aklavik, after earning their certification as environmental monitors.

The students completed a five-week course offered in the community, which covered the basics of sampling, observing, and navigation using Global Positioning systems.

They also learned field skills such as building shelters, judging the thickness of ice, and using a compass.

"It was a pleasure doing it. They were really excited and motivated," said instructor Micah Olesh, who taught a similar course in Tsiigehtchic last year.

Aklavik hunter Dennis Semple, 38, said he would recommend the program to others.

He took the course with his good friend Philip "Diggy" Ross, and said both especially enjoyed the two weeks of courses learned outdoors.

"I like working on the land," Semple said, adding he will be seeking work as a monitor through the band office.

Course instructor Christina M. Wilsdon, who along with Olesh is an environmental consultant for Inuvik's IMG Golder corporation. said students should be proud of their certificates.

"There have been challenges associated with offering the course at this time of year, but the students have agreeably donned their warmest layers to trudge outside for school work," she wrote in an e-mail.

The environmental monitor program has been offered since March 2006 in the Deh Cho, Fort Providence, Hay River, Yellowknife, Gameti and Sachs Harbour.

Sponsors include a government-funded group called Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources (BEAHR) the territorial government, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich'in Tribal Council and Aurora College.