Teslin students win contest after making website on Tlingit culture and language

Students in Teslin, Yukon, won a field trip to Manitoba after winning a contest with Parks Canada.

TeslinCommunity School entered the Coolest School Trip contest, which asks groups to submit a photo essay about an activity they did that helped the local environment, or present local history and culture.

Grades 5, 6, and 7 students at the school submitted a photo essay about a website they built which shared aboutTlingit culture and won.

"They were ecstatic. They did not stop smiling for the rest of the day," saidErica Keenan, teacher for Grades 5-7 at Teslin Community School.

The website promotes the Tlingit language. Keenan said the students did all the research, talked to local elders, translated prayers or songs like O Canada into Tlingit, and wroteabout activities like button blankets.

• See the students' website here

"They essentially did everything for it," said Keenan.

Keenan said even people from Florida are viewing the students' websiteand leaving messages about it.

"We're trying to share the website with the world."

They will travel toManitoba in June and visitnational historic sites likeLower Fort Garryand the Riel House. They will also get a chance to "camp out under the stars" in Riding Mountain National Park, according to a Parks Canada news release.

Keenan said most of her students have never been on a plane before, so the trip is exciting for them.

"They're already asking me who they can sit with on the plane."

• MORE NORTH NEWS |Nunavut musician and children's TV host Riit recognized for her work
• MORE NORTH NEWS |Yukon high schoolers are MLAs for a day