Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Monday, April 16, 2007

FORT MCPHERSON - Five clients of the Inuvik Turning Point Shelter recently spent two weeks in a traditional-style hunting camp, where they set snares, went fishing, and gathered ingredients for traditional medicine.

Julie Thrasher, planning and management coordinator for the Turning Point Shelter, said the camp was held near Fort McPherson.

Local elder Victor Allen provided the space in his hunting camp, and also provided some guidance.

"Victor was the elder at the camp and he provided traditional and cultural education," Thrasher said.

In fact, the camp was so successful, the travellers decided to stay longer than scheduled.

Thrasher said they were originally supposed to camp from March 14 to 19, but instead stayed until March 28, with Allen's permission.

The program is new for the Turning Point shelter for this year, and Thrasher said she hopes it will happen again soon.

"I think this should happen five times a year," she said. "It helps them keep up with their tradition and culture."

Thrasher added Inuvik resident Dennis Allen provided transportation to the site and helped assign chores to the campers.