YELLOWKNIFE - Organizers at Sir John Franklin high school are proving you don't have to fly overseas to take in a unique cultural experience.

The Northern Excursion Club: Sir John students Joanne Speakman, Tania Larsson, Chloe Smith and Meika Stewart, centre, and instructor Scott Stewart, right, accept a cheque for $1037.74 from Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus, left, for their trip along the Nahanni River. The group has raised nearly $50,000. - Adam Johnson/NNSL photo

The school's Northern Excursion Club has raised $50,000 this year, which will go towards taking nine students and three organizers down the Nahanni River.

"Lots of schools go to Paris or Mexico," said YK1 aboriginal education organizer Barb Cameron.

"We have a world heritage site in our own backyard."

Along with instructor Scott Willoughby and "resource person" Gerry Antoine, Cameron hopes the Grade 11 and 12 students will "explore the cultural landscape" of the region, as well as its natural landscape.

"In a word, (we're) excited," said graduating student Tania Larssen, one of the participants.

The $50,000 total was bolstered by Dene National Chief Bill Erasmus's donation of $1,037.74. Erasmus passed the hat around during the Aboriginal Day ceremonies at Somba K'e Park, and then matched the more than $500 taken in.

"We want to encourage these activities," Erasmus said to the students as he handed the cheque over.

"It's going to be something you'll never forget."

As the students and organizers chatted about the details of the trip, from waterproofing measures to satellite phones to dealing with a capsized canoe, the group seemed to have steeled itself for the trip ahead.

"I was really nervous," said Grade 11 student Joanne Speakman, "but I'm so excited now."