(Tourism Prince Albert, Facebook)

By Derek Craddock

P.A. TOURISM

New videos show Prince Albert’s beauty, resilience, and Metis heritage

Nov 13, 2021 | 9:00 AM

It is known as the Gateway to the North and now through the magic of film and storytelling, everyone can see exactly why Prince Albert is called that.

Over the past couple of weeks, a series of videos have been produced and published showcasing the rich history, culture and diversity of Prince Albert, including its Indigenous past.

The first video in the series showcases the Metis culture and history in Prince Albert through the eyes of local Knowledge Keepers and longtime residents.

Images of the city’s forests and the North Saskatchewan River captivate viewers as stories of Prince Albert’s Metis heritage are shared to the light strumming of a guitar. Among some of the stories told is that of Prince Albert’s first mayor Thomas McKay, a Metis man who was elected to the office in 1885.

A member of the McKay family, Joanna McKay, narrated most of the video.

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“We’re trying to acknowledge the First Nation and Metis history of the region in different ways,” said McKay. “Let’s find out who our people are and who is your family and how do you fit on the ground when you walk this earth, know a little bit about the people who walked here before you.”

The video also features the work of local Metis artist Leah Marie-Dorion.

“I think we’re in a time where our Metis history is starting to be recognized in the community,” Marie-Dorion said in the video. “It was a huge Metis settlement at one point. We have many Metis families buried here, who lived their lives here, who helped build the first log churches, they helped put in the first roads.”

Aside from the Metis heritage video, three other productions have also been published. One portrays the region’s boreal forests through the eyes of local wildlife photographer Duane Larson. The other two focus on the beauty of Little Red River Park and how the city came together to build a world-class baseball and softball venue inside Prime Minister’s Park.

The videos were a collaboration between Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Prince Albert, and the Prince Albert Regional Economic Development Alliance (PAREDA), with the help of Canadian film company Aspen Films.

It all started with an initiative known as “SaskNice”, an effort to showcase the positive stories within the province.

“We wanted to create some content with our partners, different destinations in the province,” said Jenelle Jakobsen with Tourism Saskatchewan. “In order to get those micro-stories, we really needed to meet with everyone individually and dictate and find those stories.”

Jakobsen, who grew up in the Birch Hills area, said she couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to show the rest of the province what Prince Albert has to offer.

“Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.We aren’t necessarily positive or excited about the things that we have,” said Jakobsen.

“Prince Albert has such a rich history. It does get a bad rep in this province. I don’t feel that way. I see in a different way because I see the people. The reality is that what makes Saskatchewan great is the people and the history that makes it up. I learned a lot working on this project.”

Ashley Charles with PAREDA agrees.

“It was really about the people, the place. And the purpose of serving the event space, the open space. Really trying to promote the culture and the Metis.”

Jakobsen said there is at least one more video planned for Tourism Saskatchewan which will feature the RM of Prince Albert.

Aside from sharing the stories that make the city unique, Charles hopes the videos will bring more people to the city.

“When you’re trying to attract people to the region, they want to see what they’re getting involved in, so it’s really touching upon investment and actually coming here to live here. People are visual and they want to see what it’s about.”

All four videos are now available on Tourism Prince Albert, Aspen Films, and City of Prince Albert’s Facebook page.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock