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Tłı̨chǫ apprentices help Chief Jimmy Bruneau School rebuild camp
A 2024 wildfire destroyed the cabin, which is used for fishing, hunting and cultural activities throughout the year
Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp is being rebuilt and improved, thanks in part to the Tłı̨chǫ Government, says principal Dianne Lafferty.
A forest fire destroyed the cabin two years ago.
The rebuilding project is a collaboration between the Behchokǫ̀ school, located in the Edzo neighbourhood, and the Tlicho Investment Corporation (TIC) Apprenticeship Program.
Lafferty says the program provided valuable expertise from TIC technical trainer and superintendent Skyler Hood, and from three first-year carpentry apprentices who worked on site to aid in the construction.
The site provides a location for fishing, hunting and a stopping point for other cultural activities throughout the year for CJBS students from junior kindergarten to Grade 12, said Lafferty.
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership between the school and the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
The school’s cultural team includes Chris Stanbridge and Trevor Mantla, who assisted shop teacher Mike Johnston and his high school students to complete the work.
Last fall, Black Spruce Builders, a Yellowknife-based contractor, provided the services of a red seal carpenter to help the students begin the rebuild.
Lafferty says the project also helped expose students to trades as they worked to replace the cabin.
“This hands-on collaboration between past and present CJBS students gives real-world exposure to carpentry, sparking an interest in the trades as well as community pride,” she said.
The TIC posted online that: “All through their time together, they worked safely, learned loads, and had a great time! Kudos to everyone working together to enhance this project. From installing the interior insulation, windows, and door, to exterior work to apply the weather wrap, and the strapping to create the gap that will allow the siding to work properly with the weather, to a large, solid deck, with a railing and sturdy set of stairs, their days of learning and working created a fantastic result!
Kody Ferron/Local Journalism Initiative reporter/Yellowknifer
– with files from CKLB
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership including the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership including the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership including the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership including the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
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- A wildfire destroyed Behchokǫ̀’s Chief Jimmy Bruneau School’s Russell Lake camp two years ago, but partnership including the Tlicho Investment Corporation Apprenticeship Program has brought the facility back to life. (Photo: TIC)
