When Bella Kay found out she was going to be inducted into the GNWT Education Hall of Fame, she first thanked the two janitors that worked with her at Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Inuvik.
"Many times I worked late nights, so I thanked the two janitors that were there because they always made sure I made it out of the building safely," said Kay. "When I found out I was I going to get this award, I went back and thanked them, but there were so many people that I thought of when I got that call."
Samantha McKay/NNSL photo
Kay said she was very surprised when she found out she was selected.
"I was really surprised, I just burst out laughing, I couldn't believe it," she said. "I kept laughing because I didn't realize it was actually happening."
Kay taught primary school in Fort Good Hope and Inuvik from 1979 until her retirement in 2014.
Now, Kay volunteers her time at East Three Elementary School teaching students traditional skills.
"I miss the students, I miss the staff, so when they asked me to come back to do traditional teaching, I said yes," she said. "It's good to be back and teaching the kids how to make dry meat, working with fish, plucking geese … those are the things I'm really interested in."
Kay said in addition to teaching primary school, she also taught Gwich'in language classes.
"At the time there were many Gwich'in elders alive in Inuvik, and when I went to them for help … they were always more than willing and would share stories," she said. "I really had a lot of supports, so I'd like to thank all the elders that supported me in learning Gwich'in language."
Kay said the most important lesson she would teach her students is to treat others the way you would like to be treated.
"I was always praising them, encouraging them, because that's what they need to hear," she said. "I always did activities in a circle to make them feel included, and I will say this – you have to love them, you have to care for them and you have to be honest with them, the way you would want to be."
Chris Gilmour, superintendent of schools for the Beaufort Delta Education Council (BDEC) will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame this week. Gilmour has worked in education since 2002 as a teacher, in administration and with BDEC in various roles.
He said he remembers teaching alongside Kay, and that he is fortunate to have been able to work with and learn from excellent teachers.
"I was very surprised, certainly humbled, and the first thing I thought of when I found out about the award was all of the different people in this region for the initiative that I've been a part of," he said. "As I reflect on all of the different roles I've had, I certainly understand how fortunate I've been to have good company and excellent people to work with."
He said in his career, he is most proud of his contributions to developing the distance-learning program in the territory.
"That program has brought more opportunities for students in our smallest communities because they're prepared for university, trades programs or college, and now have more choices leaving high school," he said. "Those kids are empowered because they've been able to stay in their home communities and maintain a strong sense of identity and a strong connection to their culture and land, and balance that with the rigour of the academics in some of the most challenging courses that Alberta offers."
Gilmour said it was originally a full-time job that attracted him to Inuvik.
"In the end, it's the people that keep you here," he said. "I feel so blessed and so fortunate to serve not just this community but the region in the different capacities I've had over the last 16 years."