archaeocaravan - saskculture...2012 in saskatoon to be part of heritage saskatchewan’s exciting...

ArchaeoCaravanout in Saskatchewan

Nature Quest popularwith Saskatchewan students

Treaty Educationin Saskatchewan

Year of Indiacelebration a success

Maple Creekcapitalizing on itscultural roots

2 wINTEr 2012 Engage

Engage is apublication, publishedby SaskCulture Inc.,designed to highlightthe work of culturalleaders, volunteersand the diversity ofactivities supported bythe Culture Section ofSaskatchewanLotteries Trust Fundfor Sport, Culture andrecreation.

Table of ContentsTaking heritage to the next level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

ArchaeoCaravan out in Saskatchewan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Cultural Leader: James Ingold. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

macklin: heritage helps define community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Nature Quest popular with Saskatchewan students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Partners for creative Treaty education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Students go digital as part of Treaty learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

museum in a suitcase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Year in India celebration a success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Looking forward to next Culture Days. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Animateur work gives dancer pride in her province . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

maple Creek capitalizing on its cultural roots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting culture through social media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Horses important to cultural healing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Pinehouse brings community together . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

DIrECT INQuIrES To:

Diane Ell, Editor Graphic Design: 404, 2125 12th Avenue J. Lauder Publishing & Designregina SK S4P 3X3 Email: [email protected]: (306) 780.9453Email: [email protected] Contributing writers: Damon Badger heit, www.saskculture.sk.ca Shawn Bauche, Peter Brass, Dennis Garreck,

Shaunna Grandish, Mei Shan wan, Darlene Kidd

Print copies of this publication are circulated for free to SaskCulture members, partners and through communityoutreach activities as determined by SaskCulture Inc. Engage is also available in PDF version on the SaskCulture website at www.saskculture.sk.ca. Engage is published thanks to financial support from Saskatchewan Lotteries TrustFund for Sport, Culture and recreation. The publication does not currently accept paid advertising. Article ideas forfuture publications can be submitted to [email protected] or by calling (306) 780.9453.

Published January 2012. Articles may be reprinted with permission. ISBN 0-9878456

Photo of Wanuskewin Heritage Park by Kevin Ell

VOLume 2, ISSue 2, wINTEr 2012

CovEr PhoTo: Families came out to enjoydifferent cultural activities as part of CultureDays 2011 in Swift Current, SK.

Photo by Don List, Birdsong Communications

revitalization. SaskCulture also set up anew grant fund for municipal Culturalengagement and Planning. So, whilethere is still a need for more funding,these incentives demonstrate that thevalue of heritage is growing and supportis moving in the right direction.

SaskCulture has no doubt that HeritageSaskatchewan will be a vital player in thecultural mosaic of this province. It willcontinue its focus on the whole ofheritage, similar to how SaskCulturekeeps its focus on the whole of culture.Just recently, its Board of Directorscompleted work on the organization’slong-term ends (ends Statements). TheCeO, Ingrid Kazakoff, feels the ends aresimilar to, and as “inclusive” as,SaskCulture’s ends, and that theorganization appears to be well on itsway to garnering tremendous progressfor heritage in Saskatchewan.

For those interested in heritage in Saskat-chewan, I highly recommend attendingthe Heritage Forum this February 24-25,2012 in Saskatoon to be part of HeritageSaskatchewan’s exciting future.

Sincerely,

Rose Gilks

AS wE PrEPArE for Heritage Week inlate February, it is a good opportunity toreflect on the energy and effort that hasgone into making Heritage Saskatchewanwhat it is today. The seeds of potentialfor Heritage Saskatchewan were plantedback in 1999, when SaskCulture calledtogether over 40 leaders fromSaskatchewan’s heritage community todiscuss a means for the whole of theheritage community to work together oncommon issues, including increasedfunding and public awareness for heritagein the province.

The discussions on the appropriate mech-anism for bringing the heritage communitytogether continued until in 2002 whenthe Heritage Community of InterestCommittee was formally established.This Committee worked to strengthenthe heritage network in Saskatchewanand encouraged dialogue among thediverse heritage interests in the province.The Committee was involved in severalheritage projects, including the Heritagemarket Study in 2004 and the StudentHeritage Project in 2005, and wassuccessful in finalizing a new definition ofheritage for SaskCulture’s Cultural Policy,which was inclusive of tangible andintangible aspects of heritage includingbuilt, natural, human, cultural and social.Although there wasn’t always agreementin future direction, the heritage leaderson this Committee worked collaborativelywith SaskCulture to discuss options andunite community interests.

In 2009, after completing an intensiveFunding Review process that includedcommunity consultations, SaskCultureannounced one of its recommendations

was to create an independent heritageorganization to take on a leadership rolein the heritage community. Afterfeasibility research, the Heritage Saskat-chewan Alliance was formed and incorp-orated in 2010 as an organization andestablished a provincial office in Regina.

Since its establishment, Heritage Saskat-chewan has continued to work to bringthe heritage community together andadvocate for increased support forheritage in the province. It has continuedthe Committee’s tradition of holdingsuccessful Heritage Forums, publishingHeritage E-Advocate, meeting withgovernment, as well as giving numerouscommunity presentations and holding awell-attended mLA Reception in 2011. Itsmembership continues to grow, alongwith its ability to support the diverseneeds of heritage in Saskatchewan.Along with SaskCulture and partners inthe Heritage Branch inside government,Heritage Saskatchewan has helpedhighlight the need for increasedgovernment investment for heritage.

This past year, the heritage communitywas pleased with increased provincialgovernment funding to the SaskatchewanHeritage Foundation, from $375,000 to$500,000, for the 2011-12 fiscal year andadditional dollars for a new main StreetProgram, which supports heritage

Engage wINTEr 2012 3

GeNeRAL mANAGeR’S meSSAGe

Taking heritage to the next level

Rose Gilks discusses importance of heritage, arts,cultural industries and multiculturalism with the mediaduring Culture Days in Swift Current. Photo by Don List,Birdsong Communications

H E R I T A G E W E E K / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 - 2 5 , 2 0 1 2 / H E R I T A G E W E E K

HERITAGE FORUM 2012

“Connecting Heritage & Creativity: How Heritage Connects to Creative Communities”

Friday & Saturday, February 24-25, 2012 / Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Saskatoon

Celebrate Heritage Week by joining Heritage Saskatchewan and heritage leaders from around Saskatchewan for a two-day dialogue on heritage andcommunity, featuring a keynote address by award-winning author Maggie Siggins entitled

“Giving Birth on a Saddle: Four Incredible Journeys into Saskatchewan’s Past”.

Panel discussions include: The Power of the Past: the Role of Memory and How Heritage Contributes to Quality of Life; Mapping Tangible and Intangible Heritage; and How Heritage Tourism Contributes to Sustainable Development

For more information or to register, visit www.heritagesask.ca.


ThIS hAS BEEN AN EXCITING YEAr forthe Saskatchewan Archaeological Society(SAS). Acting executive Director KimCloutier says the SAS’s success comeslargely from two new initiatives designedto introduce archaeology to those whoare unfamiliar with the practice.

“Through the Society’s activities andeducational resources, we aim to engagepeople so they become archaeologicalstewards, protecting our past for futuregenerations,” she says. So far, archaeol-ogical “newcomers” have embracedthese new activities.

The Society typically hosts two hands-on,hands-dirty, field schools in the province –one at South Branch House, a probablefur-trading post location along the SouthSaskatchewan River, near the village of St.Louis; the other at various locations inWanuskewin Heritage Park. The fieldschools are practical ways for archaeol-ogists of all experience levels (includingno experience) to participate in sitesurveying and excavation.

This summer, Cloutier notes, the Saskat-chewan Archaeological Society added athird field school to the list by partneringwith engineering consulting firm, Stantec,for a project in Hudson Bay. Stantec wasexcavating near Hudson Bay, and thetown requested a public component forthe dig. The SAS was excited by the part-nership and coordinated and supervised17 volunteers from the community while“providing new exposure for people in anarea where not a lot of archaeologicalopportunities for the public havehappened,” says Cloutier.

The other summer project, with evenmore potential for an introduction toarchaeology, is the re-tooling of a formerSAS ArchaeoCaravan Program. TheArchaeoCaravan was developed as a wayfor Grade 4 to 9 teachers and educatorsto bring a glimpse of archaeology into theschool curriculum by showing howvarious aspects of archaeology relate tosubjects the children study in school. Toaid the educators, the SAS developed amobile activity centre to demonstratehow artifacts were made and used, and

ArchaeoCaravan out inSaskatchewan B Y S h A w N B A u C h E

to give an understanding of past lifestylesand the importance of Saskatchewanhistory.

In June, the SAS partnered with the AllanCommunity Heritage Society and museumand various community members to bringthe ArchaeoCaravan to Allan’s Family Dayin the Park. Children and parents exploredthe ArchaeoCaravan through hands-onactivities, such as rock-painting, pottery-making, fire-starting and a traditionalspear-throwing game known as atlatl.

The Allan activities were part of a pilotproject done in partnership with museumsAssociation of Saskatchewan to assessthe potential of this program’s use atother museums. “It was a premiere tosee how the community responded; howfeasible the project was; and how manypeople were needed to run it,” notesCloutier. The community wants to do itagain for Family Day in the Park, and Allanis in one of the museum networks (QuillPlains museum Network) we wish toexplore.”

With the success during the Allan FamilyDay, the SAS is gauging interest in similarevents for museums in two regionalmuseum networks in the artifact-richareas near Saskatoon. The Society hopes

to run the program as a two-part offeringfor museums in the future. First, SASwould “assess and advise museums ontheir archaeological artifacts, possiblyhelping with identification and ideas foroptimum interpretation.”

Secondly, we would also provide theArchaeoCaravan for them to invitechildren and community members to themuseum for a day of hands-onarchaeological experience,” Cloutier says.While details of the initial assessment arepending, the program has receivedpositive attention from educators andmuseums and will likely move forward inthe New Year.

The Saskatchewan ArchaeologicalSociety is dedicated to the education andconservation of archaeology andpromotes responsible stewardship ofSaskatchewan’s rich and diversearchaeological heritage. The SAS receivesAnnual Global Funding from SaskCulture,thanks to support from SaskatchewanLotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Cultureand Recreation.


Schools or museumsinterested in moreinformation on theArchaeoCaravan, or the more than 22,000 recordedarchaeological sites inSaskatchewan, can contactthe SaskatchewanArchaeological Society.Details about the SASeducational curriculum are available atwww.saskarchsoc.ca, under the Educationalresources portion of theresources menu.

CeNTRe PHOTOS: The ArcheoCaravan featuring FirstNations dancers was part of Culture Days in Saskatoon.Photos courtesy Saskatchewan Archaeology Society

SIDeBAR PHOTOS: Residents of Allan, SK hadthe opportunity to participate in a range ofarcheological activities that were part of theArcheoCaravan created by SAS. Photos courtesySaskatchewan Archaeology Society


what cultural project or activity are yourworking on right now, or have justcompleted?

I am currently part of a working group forHeritage Saskatchewan that is creating apublicly accessible database of availableheritage-related grants and funding. Asthere are so many different sources offunding and so many diverse areas withinthe heritage community, it is often difficultto know where to look to find support foran organization, project, or activity. Thisdatabase, when complete, should providean easily-accessible starting point todiscover what's available.

what has been your most memorablecultural project/activity so far?

I quite enjoyed my time working on theCity of Saskatoon's Built HeritageDatabase. I found so many interestingpeople and stories connected to the city'sbuilt structures through my research; itreally drove home the many fascinating

interactions between people and theplaces they inhabit and how thoserelationships are negotiated and re-inter-preted as people continue to use andshape a space.

what is your favourite cultural activityand why?

music. From a musician playing on astreet corner to a festival full of people,music has an ability to connect people soinstantly and intimately, in a way that fewother forms of communication can.

what advice would you give to futurecultural leaders – who want to follow inyour footsteps?

I'm not quite sure yet where my footstepsactually lead, but if there is one thing thatdrives me forward it is speaking with, andlistening to, others. There is such a wealthof diverse experiences, ideas, and ways ofthinking in the cultural community thatone can never know them all. each newperson I speak to adds one more facet tomy understanding of self and what itmeans to live in Saskatchewan and yet Ican say with certainty that there willnever come a day when that under-standing is complete. That's a great thing.

If you were able to spend a day with anySaskatchewan cultural figure, current orhistoric, who would it be, and why?

Probably Saskatchewan visual artisternest Lindner. His paintings seem sofirmly rooted in Saskatchewan and yethave the ability to transport me toanother world entirely.

where do you think is the “best place tobe” in Saskatchewan?

Any place that's outdoors and withpeople.

CULTURAL LEADERSHIP IN SASKATCHEWAN

James Ingold

Brenda Shenher, James and Laurel Reimke (l-r inphoto) are all current SaskCulture Boardmembers. James has served on the SaskCultureBoard of Directors since 2009 and is currentlythe Vice President.


MACKLIN – A SMALL TowN huggingthe Alberta border. This extreme westerlyarea in Saskatchewan was relatively lateto be settled. european settlers had onlybegun to seek settlement in 1906. The firstpassenger train arrived in January 1910.The community was officially formed in 1912.

Initially, macklin’s citizens were too concernedwith survival to concentrate much oncommemorating and preserving theirheritage. However, as early as 1935, theFourth meridian Old Timers’ Associationwas formed, and since then its members

and other community groups have had alengthy history of commemorating andcelebrating macklin’s heritage. Thecommunity’s preservation includes amemorial gate at the cemetery, themacklin History Book published in 1992,the Centennial monument erected as partof the 2005 Saskatchewan Centennial, amodern Cenotaph honouring the majoroverseas conflicts, and the macklin LakeHistoric Walking Trail which features 12commemorative plaques on a five-kilometre nature trail.

macklin: heritage helps define communityB Y D A r L E N E K I D D

TOP: The World’s Largest Bunnock, a horses’ fore-anklebone, is found in macklin Saskatchewan. Photo byPonnopresse.

CeNTRe: Lake Historic Walking Trail commemorativeplaque.

BOTTOm: Cenotaph honoring all those who served inWWI, WWII, Boer or Korean conflicts.

While working on the trail, historiansbecame aware of some of macklin’sfamous former residents, including Agnesmartin, a world-famous minimalist painterwho was born in 1912, and ClarenceCampbell, who went on to becomepresident of the National Hockey League,to name a few.

macklin is also known as the “Home ofthe World’s Largest Bunnock”. This

notorious monument, a 32-foot highreplica of a bunnock (a horses’ fore-ankle bone), houses thecommunity’s information booth. Itrepresents the community’s activeinterest in bunnock, a German-heritage game. The three-day,Annual World ChampionshipBunnock Tournament attractsover 10,000 visitors to macklineach year, not to mention theinterest of younger residents.

macklin’s heritage imprint maystill escape many local residents andstudents, but its tributes, plaques andwriting are a legacy for those oftomorrow. How often do residents allowthe remarkable drama to slide away withthe passing years We heed not what oncewas ours; believing it will always be so.But without effort and concertedpreservation, so much of the texture ofour fabric can be flattened under the iron oftime, under the effort of building a futureand the challenges of survival.

The community is currently working on anew publication called ‘The Centenarians’,which will celebrate the lives and contrib-utions of those who lived in macklin in1912, as well as a drama productionentitled “Settling this Prairie”, which willbe part of the community’s Centennialcelebrations.


SASKATChEwAN STuDENTS are gettingback to nature with the help of NatureSaskatchewan’s Nature Quest program.

“There has been fantastic response byboth students and their teachers to theNature Quest indoor and outdoorprograms,” according to DeannaTrowsdale-mutafov, Conservation andeducation manager at Nature Saskat-chewan. Nature Saskatchewan wantsstudents to realize there is a large forest,

the Boreal Forest, in Saskatchewan – aplace most people associate with prairiegrasslands – and it’s one of the last largeremaining intact forest ecosystems in theworld.“We want them to develop a sense ofcuriosity and wonder about the forestand to have a sense that the forest isworth exploring and protecting,” saysTrowsdale-mutafov. Nature Quest was initiated by Nature

Saskatchewan in 2004-2005 with thepurpose of bringing nature educatorsinto the schools to discuss theimportance and cultural richness of theBoreal Forest and the biodiversity of thecreatures who call the forest home. Theeducators, who have travelled as farnorth as uranium City and as far south asVal marie, engage the students in aconversation about the forest throughpresentations, storytelling and music.

Students are encouraged to plan projectsof all sizes to spend some time in theforest. Youths are also given the oppor-tunity to participate in programmingthrough a partnership with the Saskat-chewan Boreal Forest Learning Centre.In these programs, some students areable to spend more than a week in theforest learning activities, such ascanoeing, winter camping, photography,biology, poetry, ecology, sweat lodgeceremonies, traditional herbalknowledge, music, journaling, silviculture,skiing, horseback riding and hiking.

“We want to remind them of Saskat-chewan’s indigenous culture and historyassociated with the forest, including theTreaties,” she says. “We want them tofeel confident in developing positiverelationships with the culture if it’s notpart of their day-to-day life. Particularly ifit’s part of their life, then we encouragethem to honour and share it with others.”

Nature Quest has been a hit withstudents and teachers. “many schoolsrequest return presentations due to theresponse from their students. The NatureQuest programs are growing in popularityeach year,” she adds.

Nature Quest popular withSaskatchewan studentsB Y S h A u N N A G r A N D I S h

Nature Quest has been a hit with students andteachers. “many schools request return

presentations due to the response from theirstudents. The Nature Quest programs are

growing in popularity each year,” according toTrowsdale-mutafov. Storyteller, Joseph Naytowhow helps students learn

about the Boreal forest as part of the Nature Questprogram. Photo courtesy Nature Saskatchewan


many students send testimonials as tohow the presentations affected them.One young student wrote: “I reallyenjoyed when you played the whistle andviolin. I enjoyed the stories that you toldabout the wildlife and traditions. Whenwe were told we had a presentationabout forest, I was kind of bummed but itturned out that I really enjoyed thepictures of the animals and the story-telling. I did not feel bored at any time inthis presentation. This helped me torealize what is going on in our foreststoday. Someday I would like to help outthe forests. We live on the edge of a riverand a forest. Thank you for teaching meso much about forests!”

Nature Saskatchewan estimates that,since 2005, over 14,000 people – mostlyyouth – have been reached throughNature Quest.

According to Trowsdale-mutafov, NatureQuest hopes to expand the cultural andon-site aspects of the program and newschools and school divisions will becontacted with their programming. ATreaties component to the Nature Questpresentations is in development, as wellas further development of the on-siteprogramming at the Ness Creek site, andmore programming in the south andcentral parts of Saskatchewan.

Nature Saskatchewan has beensuccessful in receiving Capacity BuildingGrants to support the development ofthe Nature Quest Program. For moreinformation about Nature Saskatchewan,please visit: www.naturesask.ca.

Nature Saskatchewan estimates that,since 2005, over 14,000 people –mostly youth – have been reachedthrough Nature Quest.

Students get the opportunity to get out in the fieldand learn first-hand about natural heritage at NessCreek Boreal Forest site.

Photo courtesy Nature Saskatchewan


STuDENTS IN ThE PrAIrIE vALLEYSchool Division explored their relationshipto the land and to the Treaties through aCreative Partnership that had theminterviewing community members,visiting outdoor sites and learning aboutdigital film-making.

“We were looking for an opportunity toconnect the many schools in the area,which includes both First Nations andprovincial schools,” explains Sandy Pinay-Schindler, an educator with the PrairieValley School Division (PVSD). “Wewanted to explore the idea of learningabout Saskatchewan history, First Nationsculture, settlers and the growth of thisprovince, as part of Treaty education.”

The School Division received a CreativePartnerships explorations Grant thatenabled them to form a partnership witha Saskatchewan artist in order to collabor-atively explore, assess and plan a learningopportunity based on one of the essentialLearnings in the Treaty education curric-ulum. The explorations Grant is the firststep for any group interested in receivinga Creative Partnerships Innovations Grantthat can be used to hire an artist to workon a longer-term partnership project.

“Through our exploration we decided towork on determining what, as Treatypeople, was our relationship to the land,”explains Pinay-Schindler. Teachers workedtogether to create the lesson plans andworked with Saskatchewan artist LesleyFarley to create a learning opportunitythat would incorporate digital photo-graphy, video, audio and storytelling fromcommunity members. upon receivingthe Innovations Grant, the Division wasable to engage 200 Grade 10 studentsfrom eight schools in the Fort Qu’Appelle,Indian Head and Crooked Lake areas,which included three First Nations schools,in a project where they visited each otherscommunities and explored the differentconnections people had with the land.

One group of students had an oppor-tunity to visit a fourth generation farmduring harvest season and listened tolocal farmer manuel miller share hisexperience with the land. “manystudents hadn’t had the opportunity tovisit a farm before,” says Pinay-Schindler,“it was an opportunity to hear a differentperspective.” Others travelled toStanding Buffalo reserve to visit with aband that didn’t sign Treaty 4 and hear adifferent perspective. Their tours included

Partners for creative Treatyeducation B Y D I A N E E L L

understanding the Treaties is animportant step to understandingour identity as people ofSaskatchewan...our diversity,traditions, customs, values,institutions and laws. Over the lastfew years, Treaty education hascontinued to evolve in schoolsthroughout the province, includingthe development of new resources,instruction by elders and otherknowledge keepers, as well as theintroduction of opportunitiesinvolving arts.

TreatySmarts began in 2009 aspart of the ArtsSmarts program,administered by theSaskatchewan Arts Board withpartial funding support fromSaskatchewan Lotteries TrustFund for Sport, Culture andrecreation and the Ministry ofEducation. The program wasdesigned to encourage arts-based inquiry projects related toTreaty topics, concepts andunderstanding tied to provincialcurriculum objectives.

According to the Office of theTreaty Commissioner, “Treaties areconsidered mutually beneficialarrangements that guarantee a co-existence between Treaty parties.Newcomers and their descendentsbenefit from the wealth generatedfrom the land and the foundationalrights provided in the Treaties.unfortunately, there are stillmisconceptions that only FirstNations peoples are part of theTreaties, when really ‘all people inSaskatchewan are treaty people’.”

many Saskatchewan teachers havetaken the opportunity, throughprograms, such as TreatySmarts orCreative Partnerships offered bySaskatchewan Arts Board, to inviteartists into the classrooms to helpstudents explore their relationshipswith the Treaties.


Treaty 4 Governance Centre, heritagebuildings such as Hudson Bay Co., andother monuments.

Another group of students met with elderSam Isaac, from the Ochapowace FirstNations. “He stood on the edge of a hillabove Round Lake and pointed out areasof significant meaning to the students,such as the location of winter camps,where he was born, the meaning of thelake, how the land sustained the people,”explains Pinay-Schindler. “He sharedstories about Chief Kakisiwew and Creeteachings of respect for animals, plants,and all living things. His teachings wereriveting for students. He explained howhuman beings depend on everything elseto survive.”

“The experience was very positive for thestudents and for the community,” shesays. “The students appreciated howwilling community members were to sharetheir views on the Treaties and theirpersonal stories about their relationshipto the land.”

After visiting different locations andreviewing the stills, footage and audiothey had collected, the students learnedhow to compile the most meaningful workinto documentary films. In total, 12 filmswere created, along with a bonus film byartist Lesley Farley, and were screened ata special gala event held this past June.

“The learning process, the communityvisits and the films have created a lastinglegacy for the school,” adds Pinay-Schindler. Although not yet ready forpublic viewing (copies of the DVD weregiven to all participating students,community members, elders, andteachers, and copies were given to all ofthe Treaty 4 and PVSD schools for theirTreaty kits), the films will become part ofongoing Treaty education in the PrairieValley School Division.

Creative Partnerships is a grant programoffered by the Saskatchewan Arts Boardin partnership with SaskCulture withfunding from Saskatchewan LotteriesTrust Fund for Sport, Culture and Recrea-tion. The program provides communities,businesses, schools and other organiz-ations a range of opportunities to partnerwith artists and tap the creativity of theprovince.

Phot

os c

ourt

esy

Sand

y Pi

nay-

Schi

ndle

r, P

rairi

e Va

lley

Scho

ol D

ivis

ion

Students go digital as part ofTreaty learning B Y D I A N E E L L

STuDENTS FroM BALCArrES learnedthat the art of film, audio and digitalphotography can create a fascinatingopportunity to learn about Treaties inSaskatchewan.

In 2010, the students were given the oppor-tunity to interview and record convers-ations with community members, includinghigh profile First Nations Leaders on theTreaties and their impact in the province.Students were then able to utilize thisknowledge and create a documentaryfilm on their findings. They worked underthe guidance of project leaders, NicoleStrandlund, michele Schwab, Ali matai,David Racette, and Chrysa Peterson.

“We were looking for an opportunity touse the arts to raise awareness of whatTreaty means,” explains Larry Strandlund,vice principal and art teacher at BalcarresHigh School. “The TreatySmarts grantprovided us with the opportunity to getthe expertise required for this multi-tiered, multi-media approach.”

To begin, the students formed threeproduction teams that each had individualsresponsible for interviewing, audio andfilming. Saskatchewan documentary filmartist, Angela mae edmunds, helped thestudents learn interview skills, such as howto formulate questions and put people atease during the interview. “They evenpracticed the interview process, inter-viewing each other on video,” explainsStrandlund. “Then they critiqued thevideos, discussing things such as how welldifferent shots, lighting options andcamera angles had worked and what theycould do better.” Along with interviewand videography skills, the students alsolearned from First Nations Liaison OfficerRose Alma Bellegarde, the proper protocolfor working with First Nations elders.

When they were ready, the students metwith individuals such as Chief Perry Bellegarde of Little Bear First Nation,

CONTINueD ON PAGe 12


held June 2011 that was open to studentsfrom the entire school. “Thosecommunity members that were inter-viewed and featured in the film wereinvited to attend and participate in apanel,” Strandlund says. “After viewingthe documentary, students had theopportunity to ask the panel questionsabout what they had learned.”

As well as the Role model posters, theevent also featured an exhibition of theGrade 7-9 paintings based on Treaties andhow they are very much alive today. ArtistsCristian Barreno and maurice Louisonhelped these students express their visionof Treaties through visual art. Besidesseeing the works, visitors attending thegala could also view a computer-projecteddisplay featuring interviews of thestudents talking about their work,including different aspects of the paintingsand their understanding of Treaty.

The entire experience had a lasting impacton the school. “It left us with expertise indocumentary film-making, photographyand visual art, several tools for teachingfuture students about Treaty, and equip-ment such as cameras, lighting and digitalrecording devices, which have beenincorporated into the arts program.” Theschool is already preparing for anotherproject where a partnership with SIASTwill enable the students to explore photo-graphy in more detail, as well as add amore literary focus to the Role modelposter concept.

Perhaps more importantly, “This was awonderful opportunity for the entireschool to work together on a project,learn new skills and learn about Treaties,”explains Strandlund. “It created a positiveconnection between students andcommunity.”

TreatySmarts, which receives fundingfrom SaskCulture and SaskatchewanLotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Cultureand Recreation, is offered through theSaskatchewan Arts Board. This programis part of ArtSmarts, which enablesstudent, teacher and artist collaborations,focuses on inquiry learning whichencourages students to develop theirown questions, learning methods andideas. For more information, contactDianne Warren at (306) 787.4659 oremail: [email protected].

Phot

os c

ourt

esy

Larr

y St

rand

lund

, Bal

carr

es H

igh

Scho

ol

Chief michael Starr of Starblanket FirstNation, Chief mary Anne DayWalker-Pelletier of Okanese First Nation, DanBellegarde, knowledge-keeper WendallStarr, Barry Tuckanow, martine Desnomieand Frieda Koochicum.

“This opportunity enabled us to put aface on treaty knowledge,” remarksStrandlund. “The students wereastounded by the knowledge in the

community. Some of the students didnot have much experience working withelders. They were bowled over by theknowledge of these people and amazedat their willingness to spend time sharingtheir knowledge.”

After completing the interviews, thelearning continued. edmunds workedwith them to create the documentaries.“Students had to have a lot of patience,”he says, “as they worked with teachersthrough several software difficulties. Atone point, their work disappeared, but inthe end, they managed to piece a producttogether.” Other students, who hadtaken still photographs at each of theinterviews, worked to create Role modelposters as part of another project thatran in conjunction with the Treaty project.

The work was screened at a gala event


ThE KroNAu hErITAGE MuSEuM hasdesigned an outreach program to takethe museum’s exhibitions to those whowould, because of mobility issues, havedifficulty visiting the museum in person.

“The ‘museum in a Suitcase’, as the nameimplies, is a miniature version of thestoryboards and photos of an exhibit,packed in a suitcase along with someappropriate props,” explains Audreyeuteneier, board member, KronauHeritage museum. “The photos andstoryboards are displayed in a scrapbookformat and paired with some hands–on,user-friendly objects, such as variousgrains and scale models of farmmachinery.” The purpose of these itemsis to provide tactile objects tocompliment the story.

At present, the first museum in aSuitcase, based on the “From Field Tomarket - The Story of Grain” exhibit, hasbeen produced and presented at variousSaskatchewan schools and at theWascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina.“It was met with a very enthusiasticresponse,” explains euteneier.

The museum intends to produce a seriesof suitcases based on each of the rotatingexhibitions, in order to make them moreaccessible. “We are presently working onthe scrapbook for a second suitcase,based on the story boards and artifactsfrom our former “Reading, Writing and

museum in a suitcase

“The photos andstoryboards aredisplayed in ascrapbook formatand paired with somehands-on, user-friendly objects, suchas various grains andscale models of farmmachinery.”

The purpose of theseitems is to providetactile objects tocompliment the story.

‘Rithematic” and “Simple Fun” exhibits,”she adds.

The museum in a Suitcase was producedwith assistance from HBC Local HistoryGrant Program. The Kronau Heritagemuseum receives operational fundingfrom SaskCulture thanks to SaskatchewanLotteries Trust Fund for Sport, Cultureand Recreation.

Photos courtesy Kronau Heritage Museum


ThE BrIGhT CoLourS of the Saskat-chewan east Indian community wereproudly on display this past year incelebration of culture and friendshipbetween this province and India.

Over the course of this past year, therewere over ten events – almost one eventevery month -- taking place around Reginain celebration of the Year of India inCanada 2011. Some of the main eventhighlights over the past year were: FusionDance, Writer’s festival, Puppet DanceTheatre, India in the Park and Bollywoodmusical Storm.

According to Renu Kapoor, chairperson,Year of India in Canada 2011, all the eventsshowcasing east Indian culture, traditions,fashions and cuisine were well attended.“India in the Park was the biggest high-light and the evening ended with a grand

display of fireworks. It also coincided withIndia’s Independence Day celebrations,”says Kapoor, which SaskCulture was amajor sponsor.

“India and Canada share core democraticvalues and growing economic relation-ships,” says Kapoor. “2011 was declaredthe year of discovery between the twogreat countries to foster the bond offriendship, better understanding andeconomic ties.” The celebrationenhanced opportunities to further social,cultural and economic power betweenCanada – and Saskatchewan in particular– and India. This was the main goal ofhaving Year of India in Canada 2011,according to Kapoor.

Regina was one of only eight Canadiancities that were chosen by the HighCommission of India in Canada to be

Year of India celebrationa success B Y S h A u N N A G r A N D I S h

“I believe celebrationof multiculturalism isvery essential in ourlives regardless ofcaste, colour, creed,faith and ethnicbackground,” Kapoorsays. “Multicult-uralism is, who weare, what we have,and what we canbecome by sharing.we need to developrespect for ourvalues.”

ABOVe: Sudha Srinivas and Alpana Trivedi grouphelp to celebrate the Republic Day celebrationat Balfour Collegiate on Jan. 26, 2011

CeNTRe: Performers from India showcase theirtalents at the Bollywood musical Sandsrom,which took place at Regina’s Conexus ArtsCentre on Oct. 25, 2011.

Photos courtesy India Canada Association


honoured as a site for the Year of Indianin Canada 2011 celebrations. Along withdisplaying the economic and trade tiesbetween Canada and India, the Year ofIndia events showcased part of themulticultural fabric that makes upSaskatchewan.

“I believe celebration of multiculturalismis very essential in our lives regardless ofcaste, colour, creed, faith and ethnicbackground,” Kapoor says. “multicult-uralism is, who we are, what we have,and what we can become by sharing. Weneed to develop respect for our values.”

She adds that, peaceful co-existence andinternational understanding are the twomain pillars of multiculturalism andbecause of this it teaches us how to livetogether peacefully and to have respectfor each other’s values and cultures.

The India Canada Association ofSaskatchewan was founded in 1975 onthe main premise to promote social,cultural and educational understandingbetween east Indian community andother residents of this province. “Theyear-long celebrations in 2011 have madeour association stronger and providedmore visibility. We had many partners andsponsors who contributed to the successof the celebrations and promoted ourorganization and culture,” says Kapoor.The Association is also seeing a rise inmembership with new immigrants settlingin Regina and all over this province.

According to Kapoor, the City of Reginahas also passed a motion embarking onan exciting initiative to twin the city witha sister city in India. “This is a boldstatement about the City of Regina’soptimism, not only toward India’sgrowing economy, but also toward ourshared governance structure,” remarksKapoor.

“Our association’s future looks verypromising!”

To learn more about the Indian CanadaAssociation of Saskatchewan, please visit:indiacanadasask.ca.

ABOVe: Local dancers from Regina, brought together byIndia Canada Association, performed at SaskCulture’sGathering in October 2011.

Photo by Shawn Bauche.

Now ThAT CuLTurE DAYS has comeand gone for 2011, many organizationshave had the chance to reflect on theirinvolvement. The Art Gallery of SwiftCurrent is the one of many culturalorganizations that was pleased with theresults.

Originally, Kim Houghtaling, director andcurator of the Art Gallery of SwiftCurrent, thought Culture Days would be agreat opportunity to work collaborativelywith organizations that otherwise maynot have had the chance to work together.As Houghtaling puts it, “some of thegroups that worked together for CultureDays this year had not really collaboratedon anything else. They had their ownworld of activities and didn’t really have areason to branch out with any othergroups. Culture Days provided thatopportunity to work together. It workedout really well in Swift Current.”

A common goal can bring a communitytogether, he notes. And have a lastingeffect. “Knowing that those organiz-ations now see themselves as part ofCulture Days makes it easier to makeconnections for future projects. Ifsomething came up now, we wouldn’thesitate to call up the recreation folks toget involved and vice versa.”

Looking forward to nextCulture Days B Y P E T E r B r A S S

Culture belongs to us alland Culture Days reallyhelps to show that, andto show it off. we all getinto it, heritage is thesoul, the arts are thevoice, and the heart iscommunity – and that’sculture for you.


It is not only the new working relation-ships that appeal to the Art Gallery. It isthe opportunity to reach and entertain awider audience, encouraging new visitorsto the Gallery. “People who normally feelcomfortable coming out for a recreationevent, but maybe not cultural events,were able to take part in Culture Days andfeel comfortable about it,” explainsHoughtaling.

“In 2011, the hope was to have a city-wideopen house for Culture Days and inviteeveryone to take part. Culture Daysincreased the comfort level for people togo into culture facilities or take part inculture-based activities.”

Based on the successes of this year,Houghtaling has high hopes for nextyear’s celebration.

“Yes, we will do Culture Days again nextyear,” he says, “along with all our friends.Culture is not a special interest, it’s not abusiness model, and it isn’t elitist orexclusive. It’s just the opposite. It’sinclusive.”

He adds, “Culture belongs to us all andCulture Days really helps to show that,and to show it off. We all get into it,heritage is the soul, the arts are the voice,and the heart is community – and that’sculture for you.”

Swift Current residents came out to enjoy one ormore of the 27 different Culture Days activitiesoffered in Swift Current this past year.

Photos by Don List, Birdsong Communications

S E P T E M B E R 2 8 - 3 0 , 2 0 1 2

N E X T


CrEATING ArT is usually a personalexperience for an artist. The process ofcreation usually occurs in studios out ofsight, which often results in work that canbe shared with the public.

When she was hired by SaskCulture asone of four Culture Days Animateurs,Darlene Williams, a dancer and choreo-grapher, needed to step out of the studioand get on the road and share the creativeprocess with others in the province.Williams visited seven rural communities,as well as Saskatoon, in the four monthsleading up to Culture Days. Her main taskwas to engage communities and organiz-ations in the Culture Days movement.

Williams had previous experience withCulture Days. In 2010, her dance company,The White Birch Dance Company, hadgiven a performance in Rose Valley. Nowas an Animateur, Williams took theopportunity to include those she met in acreative process. “I encouraged them totalk about their own cultural and artisticactivities and how they came to do whatthey do,” she says.

“I used a ‘word art’ project as a springboard, and asked workshop participantsto share with each other how theircultural work impacts the communities inwhich they live. In some locations, Iengaged participants to take the projectone step further and "move" their wordart.” Williams was able to demonstrate

Animateur work gives dancerpride in her province B Y P E T E r B r A S S

just how culture can be celebrated andhow important it is.

“It was so clear in meeting with people invery small communities that they reallyunderstand how culture builds comm-unities,” she notes. “They realize that ifthey don't do something their communitymight not be as vibrant. most have agreat deal of pride in their community’sartistic and cultural accomplishments.

Williams enjoyed her work helping supportcommunities with Culture Days prepara-tions. “I loved being immersed in ruralSaskatchewan over the past six months,”she says. “The Animateur experienceprovided me with a greater feeling ofbeing connected to all of Saskatchewanas a whole. I am even more proud to livein Saskatchewan after being part ofCulture Days in Saskatchewan.”

Williams says, “The Animateur Programwas a great way to demonstrate Sask-Culture's sincere care for all artists allacross the province. I heard over and overagain how grateful people were that Icame to their community to meet themand to see what they do.”

moving forward, Williams plans tocontinue, “teaching ballet, choreographingand looking/finding ways in which toconnect with the arts and culturalcommunity provincially.”

Phot

o by

Kev

in e

ll

ABOVe: Animateur Darlene Williams leading a danceworkshop. Photo by Shawn Bauche.

Culture Days 2011 got people around the provinceactively enjoying a cultural activity, from makingclay faces, painting and stenciling to enjoyingdifferent aspects of cultural heritage.

Phot

o by

Kev

in e

ll

Phot

o by

min

dy Y

an m

iller

Phot

o co

urte

sy Y

orub

a Cu

ltura

l Ass

ocia

tion


A CouPLE oF YEArS AGo a group ofcommunity-minded people gathered inmaple Creek for a community planningmeeting. Twenty-one citizens representing13 groups in maple Creek drafted a visionat that meeting, "to be leaders in buildingpartnerships for a sustainable communityin maple Creek and area".

Advance the clock two years and youhave a community excited about workingon community engagement and amunicipal cultural plan. The communityreceived support from SaskCulture’smunicipal Cultural engagement andPlanning Grant and in addition, the South

maple Creek capitalizing on its cultural rootsB Y D E N N I S G A r r E C K

West Saskatchewan Old Timer'sAssociation in maple Creek wassuccessful in its bid to be one of fourSaskatchewan communities to undertakea main Street Heritage DemonstrationProject, funded through the ministry ofTourism, Parks, Culture and Sport.

According to Adrienne Gradauer, Tourismmanager, “The initial community planningmeeting two years ago attracted peoplefrom the business community, towncouncil, service clubs, education, healthregion, rural municipality, churches,museum, sport groups, District for Sport,Culture and Recreation, as well as people

from the Newcomers’ WelcomingCommittee.” One of the goals was todevelop and support more culturalactivities, which related directly to thecommunity’s pride in its heritage andculture.”

Participants of this, and other communitymeetings, commented on their experienceas an opportunity to work together. “Tohave dialogue, to have comments andideas shared by all, to bring forward greatideas and to hold participatory meetingswere important parts of this experience,”Gradauer adds. Also in 2009, maple CreekTown Council designated a downtownHeritage District and the communitydeveloped the motto "Where Past isPresent".

Today, under the staff leadership of mainStreet Coordinator, Royce Pettyjohn, andGradauer, the Cultural Planning and mainStreet Projects are moving through aprocess of community engagement andplanning to further develop maple Creek'sculture, heritage and community identity.One of the other intended results is tocreate an innovative and vibrant

community that uses the knowledge andtalents of maple Creek residents tobecome inclusive and responsive.

The main Street Project is essentially acommunity revitalization initiativecentered on heritage conservation. Theobjectives of the program are to preserveand restore the distinct face of thecommunity with a focus on maple Creek’shistoric downtown.

“The historic, 1911 Grand Theatre, with itsoriginal colourful tin ceiling tiles, is alsoon the radar in this plan,” explainsPettyjohn, “and there is communityinterest to restore The Grand as agathering place of arts, culture andheritage.” The main Street Project willelevate the economic and tourismpotential while enhancing communitypride and the quality of life for mapleCreek residents.

The two staff people are supported by anumber of community leaders, includingmayor Barry Rudd, Council member andbusiness leader Tina Creswell, as well asRachel Casponi, Chair of the Arts,Heritage and Cultural Coalition. Theseindividuals will make up a municipalcultural planning steering committee whowill bring together other representativesfrom all groups and activities to developand promote cultural activities for the

enhancement of the towns' cultural andeconomic life.

maple Creek is a community that organizesand supports an incredible number ofcommunity events including a HeritageFestival, a Heritage Walking Tour, amulticultural mosaic, a Family Day WinterFestival, Communities in Bloom, TheCowboy Poetry Gathering, a Taste ofmaple Creek, The Farmer's market, aCowtown Christmas, the Battle of the BigPuck, a music Festival, museum activities,Canada Day celebrations and mostrecently the establishment of etoileInternational Culinary School.


Streetscape of maple Creek Heritage District alongJasper Street.

SIDeBAR:TOP: SouthWest Saskatchewan Old Timers’ museumestablished in 1934.CeNTRe: A community parade that was part of theCowtown Pro Rodeo.BOTTOm: Blythman’s Garage now known as the C.m.Glascock Heritage Building.

All photos by Royce E.W. Pettyjohn

One of the other intended results is to create aninnovative and vibrant community that uses the

knowledge and talents of maple Creek residents tobecome inclusive and responsive.


AT ThE SASKCuLTurE GAThErING in2011, social media expert Darren Barefootbegan by clarifying the difference between“digital immigrants”, those who are justlearning to use social media (usually 32years plus), and “digital natives” thosethat have grown up in an online world.According to Barefoot, social mediamight have created the greatest agedivisiveness since rock ‘n roll.

However, Barefoot feels that organizationscan take positive steps in building socialmedia into their operations and dailyroutines. Barefoot, who lives in Vancouver,is a co-founder of Capulet Communications,a writer, marketer and technologist, whoregularly speaks about social media andhas co-authored, along with Julie Szabo,the book Friends With Benefits: a SocialMedia Marketing Handbook (2009). In hispresentation, he shared several keylessons for the digital immigrants

Connecting culture through

social media B Y D I A N E E L L

interested in embarking on social mediaopportunities.

“Teach your staff – digital natives andimmigrants alike – about privacy online,”Barefoot says. Privacy concerns areusually divided by age, he says, generallythe older someone is, the more concernedthey might be. When in reality, heexplains, privacy is less of an issue thanone may think.

“Deliver value,” he says. There is so muchonline competition for a user’s attention.He says, those using social media arelooking for entertainment, advice,education, information and to be inspired.In addition, he says organizations shouldbe aware of what strategies their comp-etition might be undertaking.

Social media continues to grow at a rapidpace. Today, there are over 800 millionFacebook users, and over 200 millionusers on Twitter. users continue tocreate new options to meet every need.For example, LinkedIn offers a profes-sional social network opportunity andFourSquare, which uses a globalpositioning system on a mobile device,helps build what is known as “socialswarming tool” – where one can trackdown businesses, friends and specialdeals by location. mySpace, which wasone of the earliest out the gate, is still inuse. And, Google+, which has arrived latein the game, is ready to tackle its comp-etition with a user-friendly format.

Studies show that North Americans spendon average 55 hours a week looking at ascreen, whether it’s a television, mobiledevice or computer.

Barefoot notes that the increased use ofmobile devices needs serious consider-ation. His statistics say that overone-third of Facebook users, checkFacebook from a mobile device, as doover half of Twitter users. Over 33 percent of brand searches are on mobile

phones or tablets. “Consider how yourweb site looks on a mobile device,” headds. And, the increased mobile use haslead to an increased interest in mobileapplications, known as Apps. However,he points out that more than half ofonline users that still come through abrowser.

Barefoot encouraged organizations tothink, or rethink, about their onlineaudiences. He shared a concept fromRick Warren’s book, “A Purpose-drivenChurch” (1995), that involves identifyingwho is in an organization’s crowd, itscommunity, its congregation, itscommitted and its core. each of thesegroups requires different tactics to movethem closer to an organization’s core.

He suggested many different engage-ment tools designed to inspire usercontributions, such as reviews, ratings,online polls, storytelling, contests, mapsand the use of Quick Response (QR)codes on print promotions. Whatever thetool, he recommended following SethGodin’s advice, from his book The PurpleCow (2010), and “aim for remarkable”.

He urged those interested to create astrategy around social media that includedidentifying key objectives that would helpdetermine which social media tool wouldbe the best driver for their organization.And, once social media programs are inplace, Barefoot recommends continuedmeasurement of its use, though readilyavailable tools such as Google Analytics.

most delegates were intrigued andrecognized the needs to investigatefurther. “It’s early days for the socialmedia technology,” says Barefoot. “Butit’s here to stay.”

Social media continuesto grow at a rapid pace.Today, there are over800 million Facebookusers, and over 200million users on Twitter.users continue tocreate new options tomeet every need.

At SaskCulture’s 2011 Gathering, featured presenter,Darren Barefoot captivated a roomful of mostly “digitalimmigrants”, as he refers to those just learning how touse social media tools.


activity involved engaging youth in theprogram during summer camps in Julyand August. At these camps youth learnedthe historical and cultural significance ofthe horse from a Cree world view. Prosperincorporated the standard programmingof the equine assisted learning andtherapies and tied it back to culture forboth the young people participating inthe workshops and also throughmentorship with the staff of the centre.

According to Koralie Gaudry, one of theequine Centre’s programmers, “It wasamazing. Kids were sitting at the doorsteps at 8 a.m. before the staff evenshowed up. The closeness as a groupreally grew.”

Other communities, such as St. Louis,Nipawin and other First Nations bands,are now interested in the program, saysGaudry. Besides reaching out to newcommunities, the equine AssistedLearning Centre plans to continue tobuild the cultural component of theprogram. “The connection with horses,culture and spirituality,” she adds, “iseffective in building strong, healthy andculturally knowledgeable young people.”

The grand opening of the equine AssistedLearning Centre was onJune 9, 2011, which sawroughly 300 guestsincluding delegates ofthe FSIN and OneArrow Leadership,featured severaldifferentdemonstrations.

Horses important to culturalhealing B Y D A M o N B A D G E r h E I T

oNE Arrow FIrST NATIoN, a Creecommunity north of Saskatoon, hasretained its ties to its historic horseculture. Over the past year, the band,along with the One Arrow equestrianCentre, has partnered to create aprogram where horses and traditionalknowledge are part of a healing processfor youth and community.

“One Arrow has made a significant invest-ment financially, mentally, physically,emotionally and spiritually in using equineAssisted Learning and therapies as a fund-amental strategy to instill hope, healingand prosperity for the community,”explains Chief Paul Dwayne, in a letter toSaskCulture. He explained how, theyouth of One Arrow First Nation arefacing similar hardships to those of otherFirst Nations communities: significantdifficulties at home and school, four timesthe rate of youth being placed in fostercare than non-Aboriginal children, failingto complete high school, alienation anddepression, high incidents of abuse andhigh rates of risk behavior and suicide.

The leadership at One Arrow First Nationwanted to creatively and proactivelyaddress these problems. In 2011, they

committed to support the I.D.e.A.L.(Inspire Direction equine AssistedLearning) program that included a strongcultural component integrated into theprogram.

“The horse is a powerful spiritual entity inCree culture,” writes Chief Dwayne ofOne Arrow First Nation, “The horse givesus strength and symbolizes freedom.”The horse, or mistatim which literallytranslates as ‘Big Dog’ in the Creelanguage, has a special place of honor inthe cultural heritage of First Nationpeoples. The introduction of the horseduring european settlement revolution-ized First Nation cultures of the plains andthis relationship was quickly integratedinto fabric of the day to day life. The horsegreatly enhanced capabilities in hunting,travel and trade and to this day, this bondbetween human and horse is consideredsacred.

elder Gerald Prosper, who has beensupportive from the beginning and onsetof the program, was engaged over thesummer, thanks the help of SaskCulture’sAboriginal Arts and Culture LeadershipGrant, to incorporate the cultural comp-onents of the IDeAL program. The main

Youth get an opportunity through equine Assisted Learning to learn about horses and their historical and culturalsignificance to the First Nations peoples. Photos courtesy One Arrow Equestrian Centre


ThIS PAST SPrING, one small northerncommunity decided to host an event thatwould bring together the northerncommunities together to share, learn andcelebrate métis culture.

“We had been talking for a while abouthow to bring communities together,”explains micheal Natomagan, mayor ofPinehouse, SK, “to work together, tomove forward together.” He explainsthat there are a lot of issues to talk about

Pinehouse brings communitiestogether B Y D A M o N B A D G E r h E I T

in the north, from “our proximity touranium, to the demographics of educa-tion. We wanted elders to connect witheach other to bring our communitiestogether.”

Thanks to support from a métis CulturalDevelop Fund Grant (mCDF), offered bySaskCulture, in partnership with GabrielDumont Institute, a week-long culturalevent called Reconnecting all our Rela-tions and Generations was held in theVillage of Pinehouse, SK on June 5-10,2011. Representatives from 25 northerncommunities brought along elders, youngstudents and other community members,resulting in participation of over 800people throughout the week.

Several keynote speakers shared theirknowledge with those in attendance.“Willie ermine of Sturgeon Lake came tospeak about the historical treaties, “saysNatomagan. “even though we’re métis,we’re still connected to them.” Russmerasty spoke about fostering Aboriginaland non-Aboriginal relations. “Russ is aCree-speaking, high-ranking RCmPofficer,” Natomagan adds. “He receives alot of respect.” Calvin Helin, author ofDances With Dependency, talked aboutthe importance of Aboriginal partnershipsand Denny morrison organized the Grandmarch and pow wow.


“We were so proud because we neverhad held a pow wow in our communitybefore,” says Natomagan. “We learnedhow to set up a tipi, and offered tipiteachings including what the colorsmean. We also had the Ashom Stomperscome all the way from manitoba to teachus the métis jig.”

Beyond the keynote addresses held eachday, activity stations were set up through-out the camp community. Activitiesincluded: skiff-building and paddle-buildingworkshops, rabbit and small game skinningworkshops, smoke house workshops, aswell as opportunities for kids to learn howto set up canvas tents. There was also atrade fair with 14 agencies represented toshare information with the community.

“We were overwhelmed by the response,”remarks Natomagan. “It was supposedto be a one-time deal, but the commun-ities are asking for us to do it again thisJune.” Pinehouse had hoped to hand theevent off to a different community, butis planning to host it once again.

“Hopefully another community will do itnext,” he adds. “We had 20 volunteersworking all week making sure there wasfood, coffee and moose meat. Theydidn’t get much sleep!”

Natomagan plans on re-applying for themCDF grant through the Northern Villageof Pinehouse to continue and build on thesuccess of the Reconnecting all of ourRelations and Generation event for nextJune of 2012.

Several northern communities gathered in Pinehouse to celebrate their métis cultural heritage and share traditionalknowledge, including tanning, skiff and paddle building, and smoking meat as seen in photos. Photos courtesy of thecommunity of Pinehouse, SK.

SaskCulture Inc. receives financial assistance from:Traditional skiff building was part of elders Gathering in Pinehouse. Photo courtesy Pinehouse,SK

404, 2125 12th Avenue, Regina, SK S4P 3X3Tel: (306) 780.9284 email: [email protected]

www.saskculture.sk.ca

archaeocaravan - saskculture...2012 in saskatoon to be part of heritage saskatchewan’s exciting...

Documents