SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Mildred Hall students learned traditional skills last week at a camp near Dettah.

As part of the Dene Kede curriculum, the camp aimed to create authentic cultural experiences for students in skills, culture and aboriginal language.

Angus Martin nails a beaver pelt to stretch it out so the hide can eventually be used for clothing. Watching his technique from left to right are Fatima Ullah, Megan McDougall, Sizeh Charlo, Darian Petersen and Audury Carmody. - Ben Morgan/NNSL photo

"At a time when the environment is under considerable stress, it teaches our children the interdependence of nature and their responsibility to conserve and protect it," said Richard Nerysoo minister of Education, Culture and Employment.

Shannon Payne, aboriginal education co-ordinator for Yk 1, said the program at Mildred Hall aims to create the most authentic cultural experience for students, to preserve the old ways for the future.

"Many of the students thrive at learning out here on the land. They feel very connected to nature, and it's good for their confidence," she said.

She said the ALC program gives students a chance to learn outside the classroom, a strategy with benefits she said teachers are seeing already.

Various stations at the camp focus on different aspects of Dene traditions.

The school keeps a staff of ALC teachers who largely organize the camps.

Beatrice Sangris, Shirley Desjarlais and Sheila Stewart secure supplies and resource people who contribute to the education of the students during camp.

George Tatsiechele, one of the resource people who lives in Dettah, taught the children how to make a fire using a bowed piece of wood, caribou string and a technique that involves friction to start a flame.

He said it might take 20 minutes for someone to make a fire this way.

Other stations taught how to prepare meat for drying, how to identify plants on a nature walk and how to make bannock over an open fire.