A cultural gathering to celebrate Northern culture, libraries and literacy hosted by the Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System. September 8, 2012

Report of the Event Thanks to the many volunteers, participants and sponsors, PNLS held a very successful Cultural Day on September 8, 2012 at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre on Far Reserve near Air Ronge.

Entertainers included some astounding young performers: Tristan Durocher, a master fiddler at age 16; Resist to Conform, a band with musicians from age 10 to 16 who developed some young “groupies”; Ada Mirasty, 3 years old. Along with them were Edna Mirasty, the library administrator of Senator Myles Venne School Public Library, who sang with power and style despite her cold; Leonard Adam’s family band from Fond du Lac; Laura Burnouf, who sang hymns in Cree and English; and Northwind who filled in during any open spots. The main stage was wonderfully emceed by Jude Ratt, the leader of Northwind, and Edna Mirasty—both members of the organizing committee.

Some elders told stories in Cree, English and Dene. Henry Roberts, an elder from La Ronge, showed items from his extensive collection of bones and hides and games. Franklin Carriere, taught the audience bird and animal calls, including the mating calls of the moose. Albert Ross, from La Ronge, shared some legends and stories of growing up in residential schools. Noel Sandypoint from Fond du Lac told stories in Dene, translated by Allan Adam.

Allan was one of several representative craftspeople and artists. His table, where he taught people how to carve paddles, had a constant attendance of people of all ages. Alison Waite, from Buffalo Narrows, showed people her artwork made of fish scales that shimmered in the light. Darlene Petit, also from Buffalo Narrows, was creating bookmarks using a loom. Caroline Lavallee, from Timber Bay, had a display of moccasins and mukluks. Susan Simpson set out beaded jewellery and made some extras and a pair of baby mukluks during the day. Rosella Carney laid out framed pictures made of moose hair tufting and birch bark biting. Myles Charles had prints of his paintings and finished an oil painting of a moose while the day progressed.

Jerold Gliege of JerBear Books held a book sale in a tent just outside of the entrance. Inside, people were encouraged to take home books donated by Claren Turnor and others. Of the 45 boxes of books taken over to the Centre, only 9 boxes were left.

Lunch, held for 80 elders, participants and volunteers, was duck soup and sandwiches. The banquet was set to serve 200 people, and over 135 people came to that part. We ate moose stew, fish, wild rice casserole, spinach salad with blueberries and cranberries, rice pudding, blueberries and cake with blueberries in it. Yummy!

We achieved the minimum necessary budget through considerable fund-raising efforts by Lonette Pelletier and Sydney Lemieux of Saskatchewan Provincial Library and Audrey Mark, our Director. As many of the performers and craftspeople were from an area near La Ronge, our expenses were reasonable. It is always heartening and vexatious to have cheerful, happy people, pleased by the day, tell you they are looking forward to the event again next year, when the effort to carry out the day was such a tremendous challenge of fund-raising and organizing.

Thankfully, we did not have to clean floors and put away tables. The Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre handled that, the catering, and the security. Staff had an easy time working with Kevin Roberts, who was very accommodating and reassuring. The venue was fitting for our event as there was enough room, a kitchen and it was easy to find for people.

Our success was due to an inspired committee, active volunteers and the guidance of elder, Ida Tremblay. Wearing their bright orange shirts, volunteers and committee members were evident throughout the day. The festive colour added to the enjoyment of the day. The Cultural Day achieved the goal of creating a welcome link to the aboriginal community in our area.

Saskatchewan Education Northern Lights School Division #113 Wheatland Regional Library Cameco Corporation Ministry of Government Relations - First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Library Services to Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Inc.

Wapiti Regional Library

Crown Investment Corporation

Information Services Corp Conexus Credit Union Regina Public Library Saskatoon Public Library Palliser Regional Library The Harbour Pharmacy J&L Beauty

SaskTel Speedy Glass Prince Albert Grand Council Southeast Regional Library

Jerold Gliege of JerBear Books Myles Charles, La Ronge Painting

Carolyn Lavallee, Timber Bay, Moccasins

Rosella Carney, La Ronge, Moose hair Tufting, Birch bark Biting

Darlene Petit, Buffalo Narrows Loom Beading Sophia Cook Air Ronge Earrings, Lanyards, and powwow outfit

Alison Waite, Buffalo Narrows Fish Scale Art

Allan Adam, Air Ronge Wood Carving and miniature paddles

Susan Simpson, La Ronge Bead work on leather Resist to Conform, Prince Albert

Tristen Durocher, Air Ronge

Ariel Charles, La Ronge

Ada Mirasty, La Ronge Wilfred McKenzie, Stanley Mission Trayanna McCallum, La Ronge Leonard Adam Band, Fond Du Lac

Edna Mirasty, La Ronge Northwind, La Ronge, Band

Laura Burnouf, La Ronge Skyler Cook, La Ronge Henry Roberts, La Ronge

Albert Ross, La Ronge

Franklin Carriere, La Ronge, Animal Calling.

Noel Sandypoint, Fond du Lac, with Allan Adam, Translator Graham Guest Northern Saskatchewan Archives

Allan Adam NORTEP/ NORPAC

Marilyn Stearns, Saskatchewan Literacy Network Cathy Wheaton International Centre for Northern Governance and Development

Barb Bulat, one of many library people who manned the Saskatchewan Public Libraries booth

Kyle Cameron Maclean, Saskatchewan Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation Jeff Barber ~ Nora Bear ~ Blanche Bird ~ Karen Bouvier ~ Barbara Bulat ~ Stephen Bronn ~ Allyson Brown ~ Sarah Bunge ~ Kacy Callin ~ Bertha Chartier ~ Linda Collins ~ Pat Duggleby ~ Jeanette Dzeylion ~ Graham Guest ~ Nancy Gwyer ~ Stephanie Hall ~ Jason Kennedy ~ Marylou Lavallee ~ Audrey Mark ~ Edna Mirasty ~ John Murray ~ Lonette Pelletier ~ Cheryl Piprell ~ Jocelyn Provost ~ Jude Ratt ~ Lucy Ratt ~ Harriet Roy ~ Wendy Sinclair ~ Kathie Tenold ~ Richard Thommes ~ Lisa Ulriksen ~ Brett Waytuck ~ Donna Wells ~ Bag Service 6600, La Ronge, SK S0J 1L0 306-425-4525 866-396-8818 306-425-4572 (fax) http://www.pnls.lib.sk.ca 118 Avro Place, Air Ronge, SK Audrey Mark, Director [email protected]