Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Feeding healthy bodies and healthy minds at the K'alemi Dene school in Ndilo was the lead in an article on school food programs featured in Canadian Living magazine.

Dakota Mackeinzo, 7, appeared in the November issue of Canadian Living magazine, as the school's use of the Food First Foundation was highlighted in an article advocating for a national school food program. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

The article, titled "Feeding hungry minds," appeared in the November issue of the magazine, with a few of the students and staff pictured with the article.

In pressing the need for a national school food program, the article highlights the school's use of the Food First Foundation, an NWT non-profit organization that gives grants to schools for healthy meals.

The group falls under the National Breakfast for Learning program that's partially-funded by the Canadian Living Foundation.

"When children are satisfied with food, they are ready to work and learn," said Angela James, principal of K'alemi Dene school. "It all starts by making sure learning isn't hindered."

The school provides both a breakfast snack and lunch for students, including bannock, fresh fruit and dry caribou meat for a breakfast snack, and bread, peanut butter, jam and CheezWhiz for lunch.

James said the grant the school receives from Food First is vital in ensuring the students get the nutrition they need.

Having traditional foods is an important part of the school's mandate to not only teach students the knowledge they need to succeed in life, but also core values including cultural identity.

"Our whole school philosophy is feeding all parts of the human person, the spirit, the heart," said James. With each lesson, a core value following the Dene Kede curriculum is related to the students.

The article in Canadian Living goes on to point out that school food programs not only help students health and learning habits, but also fosters community spirit.

"When all the children are all fed, they all feel equal," James is quoted in the article. "We take away completely all the barriers to learning."

K'alemi Dene school, which teaches students from kindergarten to Grade 10, is celebrating its 10th year in the community. A new school being built next to the existing one will have the capacity for 120 students, and will house students up to Grade 12.