June 29, 2011

Royal couple to visit Native center

Will and Kate to visit N.W.T. 'bush university'

Moosehide tanning, fireside discussion on royal couple's agendaPrince William and Kate's trip to Yellowknife next week will include a tour of the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, a "bush university" that combines academia and aboriginal knowledge in a northern wilderness setting.

The royal couple will travel by float plane to the Blachford Lake facility on Tuesday afternoon, following a packed day of activities in the Northwest Territories capital.

Following their 20-minute flight to Blachford Lake Lodge, where most of Dechinta's programs are offered, William and Kate will be given an opportunity to try moosehide tanning and fish drying, as well as meet with Weledeh Dene elders, according to centre officials.

"We'll start with a language lesson," Kyla Kakfwi Scott, Dechinta's program director, told CBC News.
Comment:  For a similar educational facility, see "Barefoot College" for Venezuela Indians.

Below:  "Students at Dechinta take part in a course on 'writing from the land' during the program's pilot offering in June 2010." (CBC)

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