GAMETI/RAE LAKES
Jarrett Arrowmaker loves being out on the land. That's why the Grade 10 student at Jean Wetrade Gameti School worked so hard during this year's annual bush camp in September.

Jarrett Arrowmaker, a Grade 10 student at Jean Wetrade Gameti School, helps put together a tent during the school's annual bush camp in September. His teachers say Arrowmaker's positive attitude helped make this year's trip a success. - photo courtesy of Brenden Mulcahey

"My favourite part was going out on the boat and checking the nets with the elders," he said.

Arrowmaker and his schoolmates travelled to an island near the community throughout the first week of September to participate in the school's camping trip.

Teacher Shelagh O'Neill said Arrowmaker was a model student every day.

"He was always volunteering to do jobs without being asked and if he was asked to do a job, he would do it no problem, no complaints," O'Neill said.

Arrowmaker said he understands the importance of doing his share of the work and helping others.

"I think it's important to help out because not all people can do things by themselves," he said. "They need other people to help out and support them."

Arrowmaker helped bring in the catch of whitefish and trout each day and said by working alongside elders, he learned skills he never knew before, such as how to use and store fishing nets.

"I learned how to check the nets and how to set up the net properly and how to take out the net after fishing," he said.

Arrowmaker then taught younger students what he had learned, O'Neill said.

"Even when we paired him up with younger kids, which meant he had more work to do, he still did it with a smile on his face and a great attitude," she said.

In addition to teaching them new skills, Arrowmaker also spent his free time helping to keep younger students busy.

"He's a good role model for the younger kids. He takes them under his wing," O'Neill said. "He will go out and play with the younger kids instead of sitting around." Arrowmaker said he enjoyed sharing his knowledge with younger students.

"I get to remember all the fun I used to have when I was a kid."

O'Neill said Arrowmaker has a great attitude and approaches tasks with confidence, which is observed by both his teachers and fellow students.

"He works really hard in school, which his teachers notice and the other kids notice, too," she said. "It pushes them to work harder."

Arrowmaker said he is looking forward to next year's trip, which he said provides a great opportunity to learn from some of Gameti's wisest residents.

"It was spending quality time with elders," he said.

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