LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Fort Simpson students started this school year with an ancient Dene ceremony.

Students and teachers from Bompas Elementary and Thomas Simpson School gathered behind Thomas Simpson School at noon Tuesday for a fire feeding ceremony, an event that was both symbolic and spiritual.

Joe Villeneuve, left, tunes his drum over the fire while Jerry Antoine readies the tobacco for the feed the fire ceremony behind Thomas Simpson School at noon on Tuesday. - Tim Edwards/NNSL photo

"We try to do it every year. We've missed the last couple of years due to weather and other commitments," said Robert Byatt, principal of Thomas Simpson School.

Byatt said the ceremony is to "connect with the spirits and help everybody recognize that we have a connection to this place and this land."

"I think it would be wrong of us not to acknowledge that and recognize that," he added.

Jerry Antoine and Joe Villeneuve arrived early to prepare the fire, as well as the offerings of tobacco and food.

As students gathered around, Antoine explained the ceremony and its importance.

The Grade 1 students formed an inner circle and each took a handful of tobacco in their left hand to offer the fire, while the older students in the outer circle waited.

Then, the older students crossed through the inner circle, grabbing a handful each of tobacco in their left hand and offering it to the fire as well.

Antoine and Villeneuve kept the drum beat going during the ceremony.

Then, students gave the fire the rest of the tobacco, along with some traditional foods and medicine herbs. Antoine and Villeneuve, ended the ceremony with two traditional songs.

"It's an ancient Dene tradition," said Antoine.

"It's to acknowledge yourself and not only that but to acknowledge the living essence they call the spirit and also to offer to our ancestors that have gone on before us - to pray and instruct them to help us in the way that we want to be assisted."

Antoine said the ceremony helps the Dene people connect with the traditions the Dene had before things like residential schools and modern culture changed their culture so drastically.

"I really appreciate that the school tries to have the ceremony every year in the fall before the school year," said Antoine.