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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The Amazing Family Sundays rounded out another winter session on a rather wet note last weekend as a number of young families packed the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre auditorium.

Meghan Beveridge demonstrates to Yose Cormier and son Mathieu, 4, a pH test with lemon juice, soapy water, and regular water. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

The museum program, now more than 20 years in existence, is largely geared toward getting families into the museum. Last week's feature was "Water, Water Everywhere" to mark Canada Water Week and National Water Day.

Rosanna Strong, who is contracted by the museum to come up with programming for the Amazing Family Sundays, worked in partnership with Matt Pontin of the water resources division of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada last weekend.

"This was the first time I've offered programs during spring break, so it was a bit of a trial to see if enough people in town would come to it," said Strong.

"I think we blew it out of the water."

What resulted were interesting and engaging stations that featured different educational material with a focus on water.

Among them were tables bearing aquatic insects for kids to look at through a microscope and magnifying glasses, a station for taste-testing bottled water versus tap water, and testing pH levels in water.

Michelle Swallow gave a talk in support of her book, The Mackenzie River Guide: A Paddler's Guide to Canada's Longest River.

She showed a copy of the book which has a number of photos, histories and ancient myths of the route, as well as some complementary maps that showed the physical features.

"I think kids are really excited with the idea of paddling," she said.

"Kids also love the sense of adventure which is implied with paddling down the longest river in Canada. They also like fishing."

She said her presentation was relevant because she had done the Mackenzie River paddling trip and noted how family-friendly it actually was.

"You can take the kids with you, there are no rapids, although there are some long stretches between communities," she said.

Ben Schubert, who was one of many a youngster wandering around the stations with his brother Jacob, said there was a lot of important information about water, including the importance of saving water. He also noted his excitement about Swallow's maps.

"I learned there were a lot of lakes, but I pointed out that a lot of them looked like snakes," he said. "I found out then that there is actually a lake called Snake Lake."

The event also featured Ndilo elder Muriel Betsina, who discussed the importance of water to aboriginal culture.

As well, the Yellowknife Choral Society sang two songs: Mother Mary, a requiem for the lives lost in the Japanese tsunami last year; and a sea shanty called All for Me Grog.

The spring Amazing Sunday schedule begins on April 15 with a commemoration on the sinking of the Titanic.

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