Now into its third year, the Fort Providence rendition of Play Around the World offers regular summer activities and opportunities to young people who might otherwise have lacked lessons about physical activity encompassing water safety and the chance to participate in pool training programs.
Pool rat turns rule enforcer
Johnston, a self-described pool rat, and Bierman both got their start at the pool. Johnston recalls fondly the turtle rides he used to take on his dad's back at lakes in B.C. at a very young age.
"As a kid, I used to break all the rules - run on deck, hold my breath, swim underwater," he said.
"Then I started learning about the safety aspects of swimming and I became a sort of rule-enforcer of the pool ... Whenever I had the opportunity to get my feet wet, I would go do that. I never gave it up."
While he is in Fort Providence, Johnston said he hopes his love of swimming will rub off on some of the young people he teaches, especially during a two-week canoe trip set to run from June 5 to 17. Bronze medallion, first aid, water rescue and lifeguard training are all areas of expertise he can offer.
Junior lifeguard club in the works
"I hope to start up a junior lifeguard club while I'm here, for the kids who are too young to become lifeguards, so they can still practise training drills," he said.
"With any luck, I'd like to set up a swim meet, a competition, between here and Hay River or other communities in the area."
As for Bierman, who is from Kamloops, B.C., one of the projects he hopes to get started is an adventure playground - an accessible play space for youth. That could involve jungle gyms, although Bierman said he is still researching what the playground could become.
Bierman got his start in recreation through swimming lessons. As a youth, he spent time as a lifeguard and eventually became a youth leader for YMCA.
Eager to explore the North
Bierman said he got involved with Play Around the World because he felt it was the best choice for his practicum.
"To be involved with working with younger youth and have the opportunity to expand the program ... we can use all our knowledge from our degree," he said. As someone with two certificates in aboriginal studies, he was also eager to experience the culture of the North and learn about treaty lands.
"Coming from Kamloops, indigenous culture is very strong there," he said.
"The Northwest Territories is completely different (to B.C.) in the way the governance is set up, so I was really interested in seeing how the North is governed." Since coming to Fort Providence, Bierman and Johnston have also experienced the rich cultural activities put on by Deh Gah School.
Cultural activities take hold
Bierman said the duo were able to help out with three weeks of cultural activities for Grades 1 to 3, which included plucking feathers and making dreamcatchers.
"For plucking feathers, (the students) were just getting their hands dirty - at our age we wouldn't have been doing those kinds of things. Seeing them really involved in the process was great," he said.
They also got to witness the stretching and de-hairing of a caribou hide.
"Seeing the kids get involved in that, it was like, 'Whoa, this is awesome - this is actually outdoor education,'" he said.
After he completes his degree, Bierman will be heading to Behchoko, where he will continue his work in recreation.
Johnston and Bierman said the welcome they have received in Fort Providence was like no other. After having spent years in Edmonton at the University of Alberta, they said the friendliness of the community was a welcome surprise.
A warm welcome
"The day we drove here, people were waving at us - it was very welcoming," Johnston said.
"They didn't know us but they were eager to get to know us, shaking hands, introducing themselves. Even the kids, on the first day we were here, were chasing after us and giving us big hugs."
For Johnston, who said he has always wanted to visit the Northwest Territories, Play Around the World offered him a travel-abroad experience without having to leave the country.
"Play Around the World is a completely different opportunity - it let me use my imagination right in my own backyard," he said. "I didn't have to go overseas to make a difference. I could stay right here in Canada and work with kids, to learn and grow personally as well."
During the first month they spent in Fort Providence, Bierman and Johnston were shown the ropes by Jillian Nanavaty, who had gone through the program in 2014.
Play Around the World will be in Fort Providence until the end of July.