Government of Yukon
Archives
FOR RELEASE #06-090
April 20, 2006
Carcross Commuinity School Renamed In Honour Of Elder
WHITEHORSE - The Government of Yukon is renaming the Carcross Community School to Ghùch Tlâ Community School in honour of Carcross/Tagish First Nation Elder Lucy Wren. “Ghùch Tlâ” is Wren’s Tlingit name which translates in English to "Wolf Mother".
"This government is deeply honoured to recognize the integral role that Elder Lucy Wren has played in maintaining and enhancing current knowledge of the Tlingit and Tagish languages and cultures, both in and out of the classroom," Education Minister John Edzerza said.
"On behalf of the Department of Education, and the staff and students of Ghùch Tlâ Community School, I would like to thank Elder Lucy Wren for all of her work at the school," Edzerza added. "She has invested her time and energy to make the classroom a more culturally relevant and engaging place to learn."
The request to rename the school was brought forward by school staff and the Carcross/Tagish First Nation due to Wren's significant contributions as an Elder.
Wren was in her mid 80s when she retired from her job as a First Nation language teacher at the Carcross Community School, and today at 89 she continues her work in advancing First Nation language and culture.
Wren still spends time in the classroom teaching students about the First Nation's language and culture, and most recently, she played a key role in helping to create the FirstVoices digital language archives.
A public renaming ceremony will take place this spring. The date and time of the renaming ceremony will be announced in the local media and the public will be invited to attend.
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Clea Ainsworth |
| Cabinet Communications | Communications, Education |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 393-7102 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca |
| Brian Shanahan | |
| Principal, Ghùch Tlâ Community School | |
| (867) 667-5871 |