SAHTU
Jaydon Kakfwi says when he was asked to make a contribution to a new book honouring Dene heroes, he knew exactly who he would choose.

Colville Lake's Michelle Orlias was one of 40 contributors to the recently published Dene Heroes of the Sahtu. Orlias wrote about her grandmother, Marie Kochon, who passed away shortly after the book was released. From left, David Codzi, president of the Ayoni Keh Land Corporation, Michelle Orlias and Mary-Anne Neal, editor. - Photo courtesy of Jerry Huculak

"I wrote about my uncle, Stephen Kakfwi," the Grade 10 student from Fort Good Hope said. "He did a lot for the Sahtu."

Kakfwi's contribution was one of 40 stories submitted for the recently published Dene Heroes of the Sahtu.

The book was intended to improve literacy skills in youth, as well as to get young people thinking about those who inspire them, said Mary-Anne Neal, an independent education consultant out of Victoria, B.C. and the book's editor. Neal worked with teachers and leaders in the region to develop a framework of storytelling where youth could contribute stories about their personal heroes. Older residents also contributed, Neal said.

For Kakfwi, his uncle Stephen was the perfect choice. Stephen is a former premier of the Northwest Territories and the former president of the Dene Nation. He was also passionately outspoken about the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project in the 1970s.

"I just thought about it, how to tell a story about a Dene hero that helped out, that had a big part in history," Kakfwi said. "So I just thought about my uncle."

Neal said getting youth to write about motivational people promotes the idea that heroes can be found in everyday life.

"We really want the young people to develop self confidence in their own unique identity," she said. "It's hard for anyone

to recognize their own strength."

It's also a way to document the region's influential people, said Edwin Erutse, president of the K'ahsho Got'ine District Land Corporation and the YamogaLand Corporation.

"I look at this book now and see the end result," he said. "It makes me feel good that these people are speaking about who the real heroes are in their lives. I'm so glad a lot of these youth, their feeling and their thoughts are actually on paper."

Neal agreed.

"It will become a historical document, documenting the people in the community," she said.

Improving literacy skills was another important aspect of the project, Erutse added.

"We need to encourage our young people to try to improve their reading and writing skills," he said. "I think if we can do that, they will better be able to express themselves. That was one of the outcomes that I was looking for."

A celebration took place in Colville Lake on Jan. 6 to commemorate the book. While the book was intended to promote literacy in youth, Neal said Colville Lake residents said they would like to see a second book published with contributions from all age groups.

"The people in Colville Lake have asked me to open it up to everybody next year," she said.

Neal said the goal is to publish a book every year.

"It's the start of something very big. It's the start of what we hope will happen every January for many years to come," she said. "Different communities will adopt this idea and start their own library of heroes."

Another celebration was scheduled to take place in Fort Good Hope on Jan. 12. As was done in Colville Lake, each contributor will receive two books, one to keep and one to give away.

Erutse said he knows the book will be a hit.

"Everybody's got a hero, I believe," he said. "It's awesome reading it."

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