FORT SIMPSON - Whether you could string together a whole conversation or just a few words, Slavey was the language of choice at the Slavey Language Fun day in Fort Simpson.

Mary Jane Cazon, left, provides some assistance to Sarah Sibbeston as she makes a beaded keychain for a friend at the Slavey Language Fun Day in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

People of all ages were invited to come out and use or practise their Slavey on March 23 at the celebration in the cultural centre at Dehcho Hall.

For the occasion the hall was transformed into an interactive Slavey display. Objects and activities were labelled with their Slavey words and participants in the activities were encouraged to put away their English and speak Slavey.

The event was designed to create more awareness of the language and of the integrated Slavey language program that's run at the Kids' Corner Daycare, said Kim Hardisty, the event organizer. Holding a community event was also one of the requirements for some of the centre's funding.

The concept of a language day proved to be popular with lots of community members taking part in the event, said Hardisty. Elders and people who wandered in mingled with elementary and high school students at the various activity stations.

"I think it's really great," said Rebecca Minoza, a Class 4 student.

Minoza was busy at work making a keychain from felt and beads at the craft station. Minoza said she likes speaking Slavey and said goodbye to someone in Slavey at the event.

For Lauren Corneille, the colouring station was the best part of the event. Using some of her Slavey vocabulary, Corneille said "mahsi cho" a number of times. Many of the students were able to talk a little bit in Slavey because of their exposure to it in school, said Mary Jane Cazon, one of four people including Dolly Cazon, Elizabeth Hardisty and Peter Corneille who were on hand to speak Slavey. Students were able to answer simple questions like how are you doing, said Cazon.

"They're trying," she said with a smile.

The Fun day was the first one of its kind to be held in the community, said Cazon. The event incorporated a lot of Slavey in order to get people to respond back in the language. She hopes that a more advanced event will be held next year.

"We're trying to have more exposure for the students," said Cazon.

During the day, Cazon and the other helpers circulated between the activities helping people as needed and offering Slavey terms when English words were used.

Visitors could try a number of activities including watching a video in Slavey on traditional crafts, colouring, plasticine modeling, reading in Slavey or arts and crafts. Even with so many choices there was a clear favourite.

"They just like arts and crafts," said Cazon as she helped thread one of many needles for beading.