Dancers, elders and local dignitaries all took part in the Gathering of Nations opening ceremonies. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

First nations teachings

Gathering of Nations celebrates Indigenous culture

Aug 30, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Over the course of the next few days, residents from over a dozen communities across northern Saskatchewan will be in Prince Albert for a special event.

The Gathering of Nations, hosted by Prince Albert Grand Council, is being held on the Chief Joseph Custer reserve, which was once home to both the Senator Allen Bird Gym as well as a residential school. Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte acknowledged the emotions attached to the event.

“It’s about reconciliation. It’s about bringing the children still to the site here. You know there’s a lot of history. Some of it good and some of it not too good,” he said.

Hardlotte explained the gym was more than just a cultural centre; it was also a mourning centre as well as an evacuation centre.

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“And we just want to honor the ground where the building sat because there was so much history,” he said.

The building burned down last April. Moving forward, Hardlotte confirmed his desires to see the structure rebuilt, but acknowledged the cost to do so will be high. Just the cost to clear the site was about half a million dollars.

“That’s quite a bit of money but thanks to some of the insurance money, we were able to do that,” he said.

Hardlotte estimated the cost to build a new structure will be around $15 million.

The event this week is designed for community members of all ages. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The event this week is about celebrating one’s culture and throughout the week, youth will learn about traditional foods, both prep and cooking; and arts and crafts. Macy Consatant, 21, from James Smith Cree Nation, is a child care worker, and was among those who took part in the grand entry.

“I am just dancing with my little youth here just to show her because she loves and enjoys dancing,” Constant explained.

Zoey Ermine Ross, 12, from Little Red First Nation, was also in the grand entry and had been dancing since she was two years old

“I like getting dressed and I can do my own footwork and learn from other people,” she said.

Young dancers in the grand entry who will one day lead and organize the ceremonies. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Jetta Bear, a young hoop dancer from Pelican Lake, enjoyed Tuesday’s opening ceremony. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Alice Rediron from La Ronge is an elder at Senator Miles Venne school. She will be teaching the children this week about bead work, including how to make lanyards, small head dresses, necklaces, and key chains. The children will also learn how to make mocassins.

“I am grateful to be here and to be able to teach the young kids how to do the cultural stuff because I was raised here in a resident school myself since I was seven years old until I was 16. When I went home, I watched my mother do bead work. Now I can pass that on,” she said.

Rediron said the children are all very grateful and specifically tell her how much they enjoy the opportunity to learn everything hands on and take home what they have learned.

Alice Rediron sits with some of her creations. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The Gathering of Nations event will wrap up Friday afternoon. A gospel singing program will help conclude Tuesday’s activities. Events on Wednesday will include outdoor cooking, nation building task force sessions, and a mini round dance at 6 p.m.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell