Educators target tradition with ingenuity
Dene Ts'l On-the-Land School launches
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, February 20, 2017
SAHTU
A new program in the Sahtu is uniting traditional skills and contemporary learning to put a fresh spin on education, says the program's lead.
The Dene Ts'l On-the-Land School is combining bush skills with digital storytelling and local knowledge to create a one-of-a-kind program for Sahtu youth, said Maura Meng, program co-ordinator with the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board. The program was available to youth between 18 and 30 years old.
"What we're really doing is we're taking these traditional skills and trying to teach them to youth but we're kind of putting it together in a different way. So we've also introduced other, more modern instruction as well," Meng said.
The school, which was scheduled to begin on Feb. 17 and run until March 6, will take place at Bennett Field, known as Daeocha in Dene. Meng said the participants chose the well-known spot, which is located between Deline and Tulita.
Local instructors are expected to teach traditional skills such as setting fish nets, tanning hides and sewing, as well as hunting and trapping. But students will also earn their firearms possession and acquisition licences, Meng said.
"We also have a gun safety workshop so the youth can get gun safety certification and hopefully it makes them more employable and more safe out on the land," she said.
Jordan Lennie, renewable resources board intern, said he believes the opportunity to get a gun licence will be especially popular with youth.
"Gun safety is a nice incentive," he said.
For Lennie, learning how to properly set fish nets is another highlight.
"Personally, I just enjoy fishing," he said. "I think that would be a good way to keep in contact with elders, keep that connection."
Building connections between youth and elders is a big part of what the school is intending to do, Lennie said. Elders from throughout the region will attend the camp as teachers, giving instructions throughout the three-week program.
"I think that will build a stronger relationship between the youth and the elders," he said.
In addition to hands-on lessons outdoors, Walter Bezha will teach students about the history and implementation of the Sahtu Dene and Metis Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement.
"He wanted to give the students background on the land claims agreement and why they sought a land claims agreement," Meng said.
Storytelling and digital media skills are also being incorporated throughout the program, she added. Participants will receive video cameras to record whatever they like.
"We have a digital storytelling workshop so that the youth can take what they're experiencing and be their own cultural creators," she said.
Finished videos will be displayed on the renewable resources board website and Facebook page.
As of Feb. 16, there were eight successful applicants and another three were expected by the end of the week, Lennie said. Funding was available to cover travel costs for two participants from each Sahtu community and each student will receive $500 for participating in the program.
Lennie said he hopes students will take home lessons worth more than money.
"I'm hoping that the kids will feel a closer connection with their ancestors and with the land," he said. "I'm hoping they'll discover more about themselves and what they enjoy and just come out of it happier people."
