At EMES we value our Tåîchô culture through speaking our language, participating in traditional cultural camps and through daily prayer. Teachers, parents and community volunteers work as a supportive team to encourage positive directions for our students. The staff of EMES work together with the community and other agencies as a team to help support school programs When we all work together, nothing is impossible. The students at EMES are caring, friendly and creative. They make others smile and value the school as a safe place. The students are eager to learn and show a great deal of respect for the staff at EMES.

Contact us

Bob Salivsburg - Principal, Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School
Bag # 2 Behchokö, NT
Telephone: (867) 392-6078
Facsimile: ( 867) 392-6080
Email: bsalivsburg@tlicho.net

Ted Blondin - Chairperson, Behchokö Community Services Agency
Telephone: (867) 392-6313
Cell : (867) 445-0252
E-Mail: ted_blondin@airware.ca

News & Events

News from 2005-2006 The new playground at EMES was installed and ready for use as of August 31, 2005. It consists of two see-saws, two sets of swings, and two large jungle gyms. The playground is divided in two parts. There is a primary playground at the front, and an intermediate playground at the back. There is now sufficient equipment to occupy all of the EMES students during recess. Early observations indicate less bullying and rough play taking place on the playground, since the children now have sufficient equipment for the number of students at this school. The janitors also have noticed that there are much fewer students standing around the school doors and hitting the school doors in the evenings. Instead, the students are playing on the new equipment. Leon Weyallon took each class on a half day walk in the bush to check rabbit snares. The snares were set within walking distance from the school. The program lasted almost two weeks. Leon demonstrated how to set snares. He also identified many of the local pants, and described the traditional uses of the various local plants.

The EMES student council identified November 25, 2005 as Twin Day. The students and staff found a secret twin, and dressed alike. The challenge for the day was to identify all the twins. The students identified two winners during the weekly EBS assembly. On November 1, 2005 the staff of EMES participated in a professional development day at Rabesca Cabins. George Mackenzie, Father Pochat, several elders and TCSA staff were invited to talk about issues pertaining to education. The entire day was organized by the staff of EMES. All members of the staff participated.

On the afternoon of October 31, 2005 the students and staff participated in a Halloween costume contest. Prizes for best costumes were provided to one winner from each classroom, and to three staff members. As well, all grades participated in a door decorating contest. On October 25, 2005 Strings Across the Sky provide two performances to the students of EMES. Mercedes Rabesca, a grade five student at EMES participated in the performances.

EMES Hat September 30th Last month ended with Hat Day. All of the students and staff of EMES participated by wearing a hat to school. Prizes were provided for the most creative hats.

On November 10, 2005 EMES presented a Remembrance Day ceremony. Guest speakers included Father Pochat, Elizabeth Mackenzie, and guest speakers from the RCMP and the Canadian Military. Also, the grade 4 - 5 class presented a class presentation on Remembrance Day, and Therese lead the children in the Tlicho version of the national anthem. The ceremony also involved the presentation of a birthday gift to Elizabeth Mackenzie, followed by the children singing "Happy Birthday" to her.

EMES Christmas Concert - December 20, 2005. EMES Sliding Camp EMES Christmas Dinner DonationsThe staff and students collected donations to provide a Christmas dinner for two families in the community. AAT PresentationThe staff of EMES and the primary - intermediate staff of CJBS attended an AAT information session at EMES. EMES Family Night Instead of having a workshop on parenting, we decided to offer an opportunity for families to come together and enjoy themselves.

Strings Across the Sky, a fiddle teaching organization came to EMES from Yellowknife. The program was funded through a donation from the Tlicho Government for family and parenting workshops.

The EMES winter camp had a number of firsts for EMES. It was the first time that all EMES students had snowmobile helmets. As well, with regards to the primary winter camp, it was the first time that we were able to operate a camp without renting any equipment.

On March 23, 2006 Caroline Mackay provided the students of EMES with a Celtic harp performance. 

The students and staff of EMES provided a memorial service for the fallen RCMP officers that were killed in the line of duty last week in Alberta. The service started with prayers from Father Pochat for the four RCMP officers that died in Alberta, and for the one RCMP officer injured in the line of duty in Rae. The names of the four murdered officers (Cst. Schiemann, Cst. Johnston, Cst. Gordon, and Cst. Myrol) were read by the principal, followed by a minute of silence, as the 234 students present reflected on the loss of the four officers. EMES principal Michael Ewen, former NHL player John Chabot, and Elizabeth Mackenzie talked to the child of Rae about the terrible loss the RCMP have experienced with the death of the four officers in Alberta, and reminded the students to both appreciate and respect the RCMP for the service they provide to the community. The students were reminded that our RCMP in Rae are far from home, with family that they miss, and families that are both proud of them and who deeply love them back home. The students were told to treat the RCMP the way they themselves would want to be treated if they were far from their home and families. Grade five and six students read poems about the RCMP, and presented a student made bulletin board to welcome the RCMP to the school. A get well card was made and signed by the students for a local RCMP officer who was injured in the line of duty. The card was presented at the ceremony, along with a certificate of appreciation.

Tlicho drummers present a prayer song of respect for the fallen RCMP officers. Grade six EMES students read poems of respect for the RCMP Former NHL player, John Chabot, Father Pochat, Elizabeth Mackenzie and Violet Mackenzie were among the honored guests at the EMES memorial service for the RCMP officers that were killed in the line of duty.  Flag at half-mast for the RCMP Officers killed in the line of duty

Staff, volunteers and students at EMES rolled over $2400 worth of donations collected for UNICEF by Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School for the Tsunami Relief efforts in South Asia. Over $1600 worth of donations were collected by the Kindergarten to Grade Six students in a door to door campaign in the community of Rae using UNICEF collection boxes. One Grade Four child collected over $120, filling two UNICEF boxes with coins. A big congratulations goes out to the students and staff of Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School and the community of Rae that so generously donated to this worthy cause. Thank you for your effort and time.