Weledeh Catholic School hosted the community on May 2 in the form of a feast. The annual event is meant to celebrate the culture of the North and happened for the 12th time.
Around 400 people came out to partake in the fun, which began with the Yellowknives Dene Drummers leading a feeding of the fire at the school’s outdoor basketball courts, followed by a prayer from Elder Verna Crapeau. Participants were given sugar and tobacco to help keep the fire going.
After that, it was inside to the school’s gym to enjoy the feast. Beef stew and bannock was the main meal, but there were vegetarian options available.
Teacher and ‘head stew chef’ Sarah Morton said the event took four days to prepare with prepared 26 roasters of stew while St. Pat’s teacher John White and parents Lorne Hobbs and Caroline Sanderson made the bannock.
There was even a fiddle performance during the feast for people to enjoy.
Weledeh principal Alicia Larade said this is the school’s favourite event of the year and it was a chance to bring the community out to celebrate Indigenous culture.
“Our target group is everybody — we wanted everyone to be able to come in and experience it,” she said. “We wouldn’t turn anyone away.”
Jacqueline Stanbridge brought her two children, Dylan and Ella, to the feast. They’re both students at Weledeh.
“The staff here went above and beyond to create a sense of family in the community, and it’s the mean reason I chose this school for my children,” said Stanbridge.
The school planned to donate any leftovers to charitable organizations.
