Melanie Bennett grew up at Engineer Creek, 200 km up the Dempster Highway, when the road was being built. There were few neighbours of the human variety but the surrounding wilderness was her playground and schoolroom. That upbringing helps her maintain "one foot on the land" in her role as an educator.  *This episode first aired in January 2022. Contact us Tweet us at @northofordinary or @theyukonkaren Email editor@northordinary.com You can also read/subscribe to Yukon, North of Ordinary magazine.