Don Burnstick is known for a unique First Nations kind of humour. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

special event

Tri-community seniors treated to comedy show featuring Don Burnstick

Jun 7, 2022 | 11:43 AM

It’s been said laughter is the best medicine and that was the goal of a comedic event hosted by La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre.

Don Burnstick delighted an audience of seniors with his trademark First Nations style of humour on Tuesday afternoon. He was also joined on stage by Saskatchewan Lt.-Gov. Russell Mirasty who spoke briefly and brought greetings from the Crown.

Kikinahk executive director Ron Woytowich explained the event was meant to bring seniors together in an effort to boost mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“If you took COVID out of it, it’s still a nice event,” he said. “It’s still a nice event to bring in everybody to something like this. For those who can’t drive, to have a ride for them and to provide everyone some food. I think it’s a good way of doing things.”

The special event attracted nearly 100 seniors from Air Ronge, La Ronge and the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Woytowich noted he was impressed with the turnout, adding it was timely with the lifting of public health restrictions in February. Masking was required, however, along with temperature checks and signing in for contact tracing.

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Everyone in attendance was also gifted with a $50 Lake Country Co-op gift card. Back in September, Lake Country held an orange button fundraiser in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, where customers could purchase a button for $2 with Co-op matching each donation. Half of the money raised went to Kikinahk and that paid for the gift cards.

The event included entertainment and refreshments. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

“Because of COVID … people aren’t getting out,” Woytowich said. “It’s just nice to be able to have all of the agencies work together and to do something like this.”

Elder Miles Charles attended the event and he said he was happy to be there. He enjoyed being together with old friends and others he hasn’t seen for a while because of the pandemic.

“The only time I see them is if I drive or see them grocery shopping, but never like this to sit around and reminisce when we were young,” he said. “I am very happy to sit with all my friends. The ones we went to school with and the ones who have been my friend since I grew up.”

Charles mentioned he also liked the idea of bring both Indigenous and non-Indigenous tri-community residents together. He noted that doesn’t happen very often and it should be more common.

“This way we get along instead of just the First Nations gathering in one place,” Charles said. “Here, the whole town gets to talk to each other. It’s the way it should be if we are going to get along and help each other in the communities.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno