DENINU KU'E/FORT RESOLUTION
There are times when a hockey game is more than just a hockey game.
One of those times is the annual Deninu School Winter Classic Staff/Student Hockey Challenge in Fort Resolution.
"It's basically a way of bringing the community closer to the school and, not only that, to show that there are more dimensions to a school system than the academics," said Deninu School principal Dan Summers of the challenge, which was held March 18. "It's about the social component and about the relationships that we need to build and the trust that we need to build together for a purposeful education, of course, and for a rounded education, particularly."
Summers said the school seeks to encourage the strengths of all its students - whether it's through the athletic component or through the social aspect of attending the game and cheering on the teams.
The hockey game was divided into several mini-games based on the ages of students. It raises money for Northern Youth Abroad, a program which helps students travel to other parts of Canada and the world. This year, close to 30 students participated in the hockey challenge.
"Every year it seems to get bigger and bigger," said Fraser McTurk, teacher and one of the organizers of the event, adding that interest from the community is growing as well.
Summers agreed, saying more families are getting involved in the school compared to previous years.
"They're coming out more and more," he said. "That tells me that the school is becoming less and less of a threat. They're starting to see it as a very pleasant place to be and be part of."
Summers said Deninu School is always going to battle with the history of residential schools in the NWT.
"The reality is that the memories of school, in the North particularly, some of them aren't good, but we're changing that and you can see that because more and more families are being involved and kids love to be at school now," he said. "We really have noticed that kids enjoy coming to school."
Fort Resolution itself had a residential school, which was torn down years ago.
"There are multiple ways of showing people that that was then and this is now, and we really want to change that attitude about school and it is just not about academics," Summers said.
Other organizations were involved in the Deninu School Winter Classic Staff/Student Hockey Challenge, including the RCMP.
"This has been happening for seven years," said McTurk, noting it was started by teacher Ted Moes, who is still involved with the game but has passed the organizational reins off to other teachers.
"The kids look forward to it. They kind of know what to expect. The community looks forward to it," he said.
Isaac Simon, a Grade 7 student, played in his third hockey challenge this year and said the game is great for school spirit.
"It's just fun," he said. "Everyone can get together and have a good hockey game."
Kayleigh Hunter, a Grade 6 student, was playing in her first hockey challenge.
"I like hockey and it's fun to play games," she said.
Both Isaac and Kayleigh said they enjoy playing against their teachers. Their teachers also enjoy the game.
Aaron Jesovit, teacher and event organizer, said he originally became involved as a scorekeeper three years ago, but his role has now changed.
"It got me into goaltending," he said. "We didn't have very many goaltenders so two years ago I started goaltending."
