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TULITA/FORT NORMAN - After years of planning and construction, Tulita officially opened the new Chief Albert Wright school on Oct. 2.

The state-of-the-art, $22 million building features a new computer lab, heated floors and many windows to let in natural light.

Ricky Andrew, left, David Etchinelle, and Morris Mendo play a traditional Dene song at the opening of Tulita's new school. The school opened with a feeding the fire ceremony where students make an offering of tea and food to those who have passed on.

The grand opening began in the afternoon with a fire feeding ceremony. Students and teachers lined up to place small offerings of tea and food into a bonfire.

Elder Maurice Mendo, in a Slavey speech translated by Tulita resident Ricky Andrew, said, "Take pride in your school. Nobody knows what the future holds, so take care of each other."

Officials from the NWT government, Sahtu Divisional Education Council and principal Wayne Dawe spoke about the school.

"Things have not been easy," said Dawe, referring to the six months when students and teachers were without a proper building.

The old Chief Albert Wright school was damaged by arson in October 2007. The community rallied behind staff and students to find makeshift classrooms. Two churches, the preschool and the Two Rivers hotel were turned into classrooms until the new school could be completed.

Dawe said he might not be standing on the new stage were it not for the Hamlet of Tulita and aboriginal governments.

Originally the school would have used a portable stage that required assembly. Community groups chipped in an extra $400,000 to ensure that a permanent stage was constructed.

Don Kindt, a private educational consultant who assisted in the project, was pleased to see the finished product.

"It's the only school I know of in the North with interactive white boards in every classroom," said Kindt.

The whiteboards are like computerized chalkboards that double as projection screens. The elementary grades are located on the first floor, with high school on the second. The school will also house the community library.

After six months away from a school, kindergarten teacher Ashley Brennan said the students are excited to be in the bright new classroom with new toys and equipment.

She said kindergarten students now spend about half the day out of their desks doing hands-on activities.

Grade 8 student Kyanna Lennie said, "I like the lockers."

After the speeches and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, residents sat down to a feast prepared in the school's new kitchen.

Jody Snortland, chair of the Tulita District Education Authority, said she hoped the grand opening would help people move beyond the past year. "It's nice to have a big community event and have so much of the community come out and come together," said Snortland.