Mr. Speaker, over 100 students from Kalemi Dene School in N’dilo and Kaw Tay Whee School in Dettah have been taking part this week in a traditional life skills program at the Yellowknife River.
Under the instruction and guidance of our Dene elders these young people are learning and applying traditional and cultural practices for tanning moosehides, preparing traditional foods, creating tools and playing Dene games. The students are also getting the opportunity to take part in the traditional construction of a birchbark canoe.
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, together with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, are providing the financial and in-kind resources to support this extremely worthwhile project.
It is just one of many traditional life skills projects provided annually for school-aged youth by Industry, Tourism and Investment under the Take a Kid Trapping Program. We are fortunate that this particular project happens to be taking place while we are sitting here in Yellowknife, and I would like to extend an invitation to all Members of this Assembly to participate in a feast being held as part of this program. The feast will take place this afternoon from 4 to 6 at the Yellowknife River, known to the Yellowknife Dene as Weledeh.
Mr. Speaker, the aboriginal people of our territory have a long, proud history of self-reliance and self-sufficiency. The transfer of traditional life skills ensures that these values are sustained and that important social and cultural links are maintained to the land and its resources. Since 2002 over 4,000 youth have participated in different components of the department’s Take a Kid Trapping Program. The program’s success is due in large part to the strong partnership that exists between the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment; Municipal and Community Affairs; Environment and Natural Resources; Education, Culture and Employment; and the talents and skills of the many local residents and elders who support the program in various communities.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. Ministers’ statements. The honourable Minister responsible for Municipal and Community Affairs, Mr. Michael McLeod.
