FORT MCPHERSON - It has been 10 years of classes, busy hallways, recesses, sports games and graduations at Fort McPherson's Chief Julius school.

Brennan Firth was one of many students who danced to honour Chief Julius Salu of Fort McPherson. The hamlet's school building, which is named after the long-standing Gwich'in chief, celebrates ten years this season. - photo courtesy of Mary White/Chief Julius school

To mark the occasion, the school is hosting a variety of contests, dances and colourful games, to celebrate the legacy of McPherson's legendary Gwich'in leader, Chief Julius Salu.

Sam Chaulk, who is the school's new principal, said Salu was McPherson's last hereditary chief.

After gaining office in 1900, he spent 43 years as head of the Tetlit Gwich'in council, and died in 1948.

Vice-principal Shirley Snowshoe said people were very excited to celebrate their former chief, who still has relatives in the hamlet.

"There's all kinds of stuff happening," she said. "We're celebrating his vision. We're celebrating his dream of bringing education to the community."

She added Salu was the first leader to ask for a school to be built in McPherson.

Snowshoe said photos as far back as the 1960s are being displayed in the school.

"We're looking at all the past graduates, and we're getting messages from many past teachers," she said.

As the celebration continues, Snowshoe added the school would be hosting the Tetlit Dancers troupe, as well as hosting a talent show, writing contest, logo contest and many other events such as a fair and special assembly.

On May 18, the school also celebrated "Chief Julius Day," on the 59th year since his death, and a new showcase display was unveiled in the school's lobby.

"We made a showcase. We put it in the front of the school, it's all about Chief Julius and his life story. We have traditional sewing in the showcase, and all the photos we have of him," Snowshoe said.

She added the capstone of the celebration would be a community feast at the end of May, which would be attended by representatives of the current Gwich'in council and Beaufort Delta Education Council.

She added the evening would also recognize some of Fort McPherson's other great historical leaders including John Tetlichi, the first aboriginal member of the NWT Territorial Council; Wally Firth, the first northern aboriginal Member of Parliament; and Richard Nerysoo, the first elected NWT government leader of aboriginal descent.

"Right now, everyone is in the spirit of celebrating the life of Chief Julius, celebrating 10 years in our building, and thinking of where we want to be 10 years from now," Snowshoe said.