(Glenn Hicks/paNOW Staff)

By Ian Gustafson

Learning History

Sturgeon Lake First Nation to lead Youth Canoe Brigade

Jul 11, 2021 | 5:47 PM

The Sturgeon Lake First Nation is preparing to put on a multi-day youth canoe tour down the North Saskatchewan River to teach kids historical aspects of their ancestry.

Beginning on Monday, the youth canoe brigade will begin their journey from the Shell River bridge and will row two hours to Prince Albert. Once they arrive in P.A., they will hear speeches from Mayor Greg Dionne and Sturgeon Lake First Nation Chief Greg Ermine and hear about the historical significance of the trip.

Ermine told paNOW members of Sturgeon Lake back hundreds of years used to canoe down stream for hunting purposes. The hunters would be gone for long periods of time.

“We wanted to incorporate something to honour that or recognize their efforts and also show our youth that this is how it was for our people back in the day,” Ermine said. “It wasn’t as simple as going to the grocery store and getting groceries. They had to put a lot of work into getting sustenance for our people.”

After their stop in P.A., they will then head down stream to Cecil Ferry and they will set up camp for the evening. They will also learn about the Twatt family, fur trading and spring brigades.

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He said through research they found an area that has historical significance to the Sturgeon Lake First Nation. He said back in the 1800’s there were settlements along the North Sask. River and there was an area they found where the first Chief’s father was buried. The First Nation’s First Chief was William Twatt.

“The purpose of this week is twofold in a way. One, to show our youth as well as everybody joining us how things were way back. Our men had to do this so we’re going to do that just to sort of try to understand it for ourselves. Secondly, it’s also an opportunity for us to learn some important history about Sturgeon Lake.”

On Tuesday they will begin their day at the Weldon Ferry and will travel to Budd’s mission, their final destination. Budd’s Mission was a settlement in the 1800’s.

Along the way they will also learn about the Sturgeon Lake Cree. Once they arrive, they will visit the mission and cemetery. On the final day on Wednesday, to finish the brigade the group will have a memorial feast and a ceremony in honour of the first Chief’s father along the river.

“We’re really excited about it. It’s an important part of not only our history but everyone’s history and it’s important that we all do our part and try to understand how all of us lived previously. And try to create that connection to respect that because our job is to show our youth and our future generations that connection between yesterday and tomorrow,” Ermine explained.

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Ian.gustafson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow