Lessons From the Land tells the stories of the aboriginal peoples of the Northwest Territories through interactive maps and activities related to the lands they know, and from which their stories come.

The first module describes the Idaa Trail of the Dogrib people, between Great Slave Lake and Great Bear Lake. A second module tells the story of Nuligak (also known as Bob Cockney), a member of the Inuvialuit from the Mackenzie River Delta.

Each module focusses on a geological area and its trails. In the future, stories of other peoples will be developed so that a tapestry of cultural heritafe is made available to a wide audience.

For the viewer, the map of the NWT is marked with sites along significant trails which can be “clicked” to obtain an overview of the place. Along the trail are place names used by native people, highlighting landmarks or events which help trail users to know their way. Photographs, films, audiotapes, and text are used to create a dynamic picture of each region on the Internet. A virtual elder invites and suggests a variety of places to visit. Older learners have more text at a higher comprehension level. For younger users, virtual guides emphasize narrative and travel.

The program is interactive and allows users to choose a location and several levels of information. Steering Committees are made up of community members and teachers who collaborate with the PWNHC in bringing together the stories, photographs, audio and other materials. The audiences are the general public, teachers, and students in Grade 4 to 6 and Grade 10. Text is available in English, French, and the language of the locality.