YELLOWKNIFE - Teachers at the K'alemi Dene school in Ndilo showed how culture and academics relate in a spin on the usual science lesson.

Rebecca Nitah, 12, checks out the dogs before heading off on a dogsled ride. The students combined culture and academics in learning about the physics of dogsledding. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

The 13 students were out at the Tugah Dene Culture Camp to learn about dog mushing, and how what they read in their science books relates to their traditional culture.

"When they're racing, dog mushers have to be pulled," Grade 5, 6, and 7 teacher Courteney Lizotte told her students before they headed out on a dogsled ride. "There's all kind of forces pulling on the toboggan."

The Dene school focuses on combining cultural knowledge with textbook lessons, said principal Angela James.

"They harmonize each other," said James. "What happens is they learn their language, social studies, and science all integrated with their culture."

Every two months the students have a new theme that integrates with their classes, ranging from berry picking, to learning about moose and caribou, snaring and trapping.

In the classes, James includes lessons on relationships of respect in accordance with the Dene curriculum.

James started off the students' lesson on dog sledding with a reminder of those lessons.

"Make sure that you have an open spirit... and that you're open to learning and have respect for yourself," James told the student. "When you're out on the land that's your chance to show respect for the land."

After a review from Lizotte and James, half the students headed out to take a ride on a dog sled followed by a lesson on dog mushing.

The other half of the students took advantage to learn a little more about another key cultural activity - cabin life.

Mary-Jane Francois led the students through some activities in the stove-heated cabin. Francois is known to the students as Mrs. Fwasi because that's what her name sounds like when she pronounces it in her dogrib mother tongue.

The bustling students were pretty excited to get their day started - a break from the usual classroom routine.

"It's better than being cramped in the classroom," said Justina Johnson, 12.

"It's a fun experience to see all the dogs and try new things," said Keegan Tsetta, 12.

Ryan Sangris appreciated taking part in some traditional activities.

"You get to go dog mushing like our ancestors did," said Sangris.

During the next unit, the students will focus on ducks. They'll pluck the feathers and finish with a duck feast on June 15.