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DEH CHO
Nahanni Butte is the closest Kody Hardisty-Sangris has been to the Nahanni National Park Reserve.

Natalie Bourke, left, a public outreach education officer with Parks Canada, watches Aaron Donohue, a heritage presenter with the Nahanni National Park Reserve, show students at Louie Norwegian School a moose hide fleshing tool. Bourke visited six schools in the Deh Cho as part of a school outreach program. - photo courtesy of Kent Bratton

As a result of a recent presentation at his school in Jean Marie River, however, Hardisty-Sangris, 14, would like to go to the park to hike and to see the Ram Plateau. Louie Norwegian School was one of six schools in the Deh Cho Natalie Bourke, a public outreach officer with Parks Canada, visited between Oct. 20 to 27.

Bourke brought Park Canada's school outreach program to Fort Simpson, Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte, Jean Marie River and Wrigley. This is the second year the program has been offered in the Deh Cho.

"The overall goal is to expose the youth to the natural and cultural wonders of our national parks, national historic sites and natural marine conservation areas," said Bourke.

Parks Canada uses public outreach education, which school outreach is a part of, to "connect with the hearts and minds of Canadians through learning experiences," she said.

The interactive education programs are tailored for each region.

In the Deh Cho, the role of national parks and the natural and cultural heritage of the Nahanni National Park Reserve (NNPR) were two common themes in the upper elementary and junior high programs. This year, the elementary program's theme was moose.

Alisha Grossetete, 14, a student at Louie Norwegian School, said she liked learning about moose. Grossetete said she learned that moose calves gain a kilogram a day and that cows give birth to their calves by the water so it is easier for them to find food.

The best part of the presentation, however, was the moose costume, she said.

Grossetete had the honour of wearing the head of the moose, while two of her classmates formed the body.

"The moose costume is very popular," said Bourke.

During the interactive presentation Bourke also taught students about the habitat moose live in and how they are adapted to it as well as the importance of moose to people and its traditional uses. During the presentation Parks Canada staff from the NNPR assisted Bourke.

For junior high students, the program focused on celebrating the NNPR and 100 years of Canada's national park system. Students rotated through five interactive stations, where they learned about the wildlife, history, geology and culture of the NNPR and the Parks Canada family of national parks, national historic sites and natural marine conservation areas. This is the first year the school outreach program has visited Chief Julian Yendo School in Wrigley.

"It was really informative and the kids really enjoyed it," said teacher Leona Sellars.

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