SaskCulture invests in Dene, Métis cultural experiences
- EFN Staff | July 04, 2014
Funding for cultural programming means more Saskatchewan youth are getting opportunities to learn about who they are.
A culture week that has become annual tradition in Turnor Lake, and a voyageur canoe and camping trip are just two examples.
This year, thanks to a grant from SaskCulture, the community of Turnor Lake/Birch Narrow Dene Nation was able to take a different approach, in part by working with some local artists, as well as bringing in some from other communities.
The project, "Learning Our Culture - Nuhe chalani Hedarilden," was a five day Culture/Art Camp that was held in the afternoons at Birch Narrows Dene Community School during March 17 to 21, 2014.
Some of the artists included painter Audrey Dreaver; soapstone artist Curtis Cameron; Lamar Oksisikowiyin, who taught traditional games; antler carver Thomas Montgrand; Virginia Montgrand, who worked with birch bark; and Velma Marceland, who taught the students how to make small drums.
Students also had the opportunity to learn drumming as well as songs, says coordinator Jocelyn Dreaver.
"We wanted our students to know that there are Aboriginal artists out there," she explains. "We wanted our students to see there are so many opportunities out there - not just job-wise - but different art forms."
"This is a small place, but out there is a big world."
She says because Turnor Lake has a mix of Métis and First Nations cultures, artists of Métis, Cree, and Dene descent worked with the students.
"You have to know where you're coming from before you move forward," she notes. "And you have to be proud of it."
Dreaver says the elementary school students were very responsive, and she says the activities definitely had an impact on the high school students as well.
"There's been a lack of attendance," she explains, "but a lot came back (to class) especially for the activities."
From Monday to Thursday, the Elders took the boys snaring rabbits and setting a net on the lake for fish, which were there served at the feast at the end of the week. The women and girls prepared the food and the boys served it.
Elders played a large part in the week: for every activity, the organizers tried to schedule an Elder to be partnered with the artist.
"It brought the Elders back into the school," adds Dreaver, noting the Elders and the Cultural Committee are continuing to meet for next year's school planning.
For more photos of the Culture Camp, please visit our photo gallery.
And, later this summer, students from La Loche will be embarking on a unique, cultural trip. For three days in July, 10 paddlers will be participating in the Métis Dene Voyageur Canoe Trip and Elders Camping Trip.
"The youth will paddle from the Hague Ferry along the North Saskatchewan River system," explains Sandra Jolibois, coordinator of the trip.
The idea behind the trip is to learn the history of Batoche. One evening will be spent in Prince Albert, but the other will be spent sleeping under the stars at the Batoche campsite.
The trip, which is also possible thanks to a SaskCulture grant, will include Batoche tour and history guides, swimming, storytelling, and learning about cultural history - on top of everything that comes with a canoe and camping trip.
Organizers are looking for 13 to 16 year olds, so if you or someone you know is interested, you can contact (306) 822-2606.
SaskCulture's First Nations and Métis Coordinator, Damon Badger Heit, says these are exactly the types of programs his organization is proud to support.
"SaskCulture supports participation and access by the peoples of this province to experience, engage in and be enriched by diverse cultural activities through the use of lottery revenues," he says. "First Nations and Métis culture is a big part of this province and it is through grant programs like the Aboriginal Arts and Culture Leadership grant and the Métis Cultural Development Fund that we are able to provide support directly to communities for these kinds of activities."