BEHCHOKO/RAE-EDZO
Tristana Daniels-Nitsiza says knowing her traditional language is important. That's why the Grade 5 student at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School dedicated her heritage fair project to Tlicho Yatii.

Grade 5 students Natoyah Mackenzie, Tristana Daniels-Nitsiza and Dene Wetrade did their heritage fair project at Chief Jimmy Bruneau School on Tlicho language. - photo courtesy of Patti Turner

"The kids don't really speak it," she said.

Daniels-Nitsiza and project partners Natoyah Mackenzie and Dene Wetrade interviewed traditional language teachers in addition to their research. Daniels-Nitsiza said the key to preserving language is to learn it and then teach it to others.

"We could teach other kids to speak it to other kids," she said.

The school's heritage fair took place on Jan. 14 and included a variety of unique projects this year, said teacher Rebecca Smith.

One project discussed the gay community and the impact homosexuality has had on indigenous culture.

"They did an interview with someone in the community on how it's affected them in both positive and negative ways," Smith said. "It's not the typical project that you see on animals or traditional foods, it's different. But I think that's what brings a little more focus to it, because it's sort of unique."

Grade 9 students Allistair Wetrade and Zack Tinqui's project looked at bullying. Students were free to choose any topic that they wanted to research for their projects.

"They pretty much have a choice of anything they want to do related to the community, the land, culture or their heritage," she said. "We don't really tell them what to do, they just get to choose."

Grade 8 student Kayleigh Gauthier did her project on eagles.

"I think because it's a beautiful animal and I felt like that would be a good topic to choose for heritage fair," she said.

Gauthier's research revealed many facts she didn't previously know about the birds.

"I learned that they don't remake a new nest, they keep adding to the nest they already have," she said.

She also learned about their extraordinary mating ritual.

"They grab their claws together with the other eagle they're mating with and they fall and they spin until they're close to the ground. That's how they mate."

In addition to the physical characteristics of the birds, Gauthier also researched the eagles' spiritual significance.

"They could pray to an eagle and they'll send the prayers to God," she said. "They will help the people, whoever is praying."

Residents were welcome to visit the school over the lunch hour to look at the projects before the winners were announced, Smith said. Jan. 14 was also the school's Chief Jimmy Bruneau Memorial Day, which meant members of the Tlicho Chief's Executive Council also attended the fair.

"The chiefs and grand chiefs were also here and they made some speeches and browsed around as well," Smith said.

The fair consisted of three categories; Kindergarten to Grade 5, Grades 6 and 7 and Grades 8 and 9. Nine projects were selected as first, second and third place winners in each category. Winners in Grades 4 and up will move on to the regional heritage fair in Tulita, with the exception of one project from students in Grade 3.

The Tlicho regional heritage fair is scheduled to take place in Whati on Mar. 1.