The Juno Beach Centre. One of the many destinations the students hope to visit. Photo courtesy junobeach.org
Ten students from a northern Saskatchewan high school are hoping to travel to Europe to walk in the footsteps of Aboriginal soldiers during the First and Second World Wars.
Students from Dene High School in La Loche have started a fundraising campaign for their tour.
The students plan to visit historical sites and towns across Belgium, France and the Netherlands. They also plan to make a stop at Juno Beach, where Canadian soldiers landing during the D-Day Operation.
“For many of these students, they aren’t aware of the sacrifices these men and women made during that time,” said Mackenzie Graham, a teacher and one of the organizers of the trip. “By travelling over to those places and meeting people who are still impacted, history becomes alive, and I think it is an amazing opportunity for our students.”
In the lead up to their trip in April 2018, students will research soldiers and hopefully meet their families to learn more about them.
“It is going to be an amazing opportunity to really dive in and make a connection with these soldiers,” said Graham.
The ten students range from Grade 9 to 11, and will have to raise around $3,600 for the educational tour.
“Between fundraising in the school and community, applying for scholarships and grants, whatever we can do in the next five to six months, we are going to do to ensure this once-in-a-lifetime experience for this kids,” said another organizer and teacher Willow Macsorley.
A GoFundMe page for the trip has already been started, and as of Tuesday morning, it has raised over $1,000.