While some northern BC Kelly Lake Aboriginals set up roadblocks last week to draw attention to drilling exploration on the band’s traditional territory, others were at Jasper Elementary to demonstrate aspects of their culture to the kids.

Some children took beads, string and pieces of leather from Caroline Campbell, a great grandmother from Kelly Lake who showed them how to make “medicine pouches”.

Others stood back – way back – and watched as Tina Letendre skinned a beaver in the schoolyard. She said she wanted to demonstrate that Cree use every part of an animal when they kill it.

The Métis Settlement also demonstrated hide tanning and showed off traditional clothing.

Sherrill Meropoulis, Aboriginal liaison for Parks Canada, said the visit was a way for the students to experience traditional aboriginal culture. The Kelly Lake Métis Settlement, which is just inside the BC border, has its roots in Jasper National Park, Meropoulis said.

Though they ar`e being pressured into modernizing, many are still without power and water, and make everything by hand.

“We want to do whatever we can to support their community and ensure that their stories are heard, because it’s a really rich culture,” Meropoulis said.