Learning Story – Different Kinds of Love
February 13, 2026
What Happened?
Today’s session at Bushkids, we guided our theme around different kinds of love, we opened the day in a good way and had a group discussion about love and kindness with one another and how can we love those who we are mean to us and “why is love important to us?”
“Love looks like being kind”
“Loving yourself and taking care of others”
“Telling people when they hurt your feelings”
Bushkids invited Donovan Boucher to another session to continue sharing his knowledge about trapping using a conibear trap, soft catch, snare and swing snare. As a group bushkids were engaged in conversation with Donovan.
The day was filled with exploring and creating, adventures to fairy fortress, walking to the ice to put snow on a quinzee and making their own mini blankets with fabric.
Why is it Important
“Love each other as much as possible” is a Dene Law. Traditionally, teachings have always brought an importance to way of life— the value of knowledge are passed down from knowledgeable educators (our parents, aunts, uncles and grand parents or mentors).
Donovan has a lot of love and passion about trapping and passing on teachings. His love for trapping is valuable to you, your children and those all around us. Creating environments with love is one of the Dene community survival teachings. Love is one of the signs of well-being.
Everything that surrounds us is interconnected.
Dene Kede Curriculum: Page 132-136
Trapping has always been a way of life for the Dene. Trapping can be a means of earning or supplementing an income in the North. There are Dene who have trapping skills and knowledge which can be passed on to students so that they too can take advantage of this kind of living if they wish to or have to in the future.
What’s Next?
We received a grant from the NWT Literacy Council to host several family events. We want to invite families for lunch and to explore the site with the Bushkids. Carnival games with families and kids on March 27th , 2026
BushKids Quotes
“You bury it?! What happens if he doesn’t even know and steps on it?- referring to conibear trap.”
“Is there any other animals you can get with a swing snare?”
Bushkids staff asked Bushkids what do they hear or feel at the end of the day and this was their response:
“I hear the fire crackling”
“I feel calm”
“I feel cold”
“I feel hot”
“I feel safe”
“I feel tired”