Old Wives Lake Festival

The annual Old Wives Lake Festival brings together history, culture, recreation and community pride. Festival-goers enjoy the street fair, engage with the fascinating and emotionally-told history of Mossbank, and many attractions (bouncy castles, face painting) in one weekend. The Town demonstrates the importance of deliberate action to reflecting its diversity through cultural performances, storytelling, food, and music. These evolutions in the festival build the relationships needed for deeper sharing, community cohesion and sustainability.

The Farmer’s Market featured over 30 vendors both local and out-of-town, education sessions about birdwatching which is a popular past-time in Mossbank, and the Bird Sanctuary’s viewing stations to catch a glimpse of the many species that make their home Old Wives Lake.

A thrilled Corky Rasmussen-Turner said; “I had such fun drawing caricatures, and I met some really friendly people! Thanks for letting me be a part of the festival!”.

One of the high points of the event is the famous blacksmith demonstrations, which is really where the festival began years ago and remains the only blacksmith in the province that remains on its original site with most of its original tools.

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Sewing Our Way to Awareness, Reconciliation, Ceremony, & Celebration

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When students shared their desire to learn to make ribbon skirts and ribbon shirts to honour their culture and themselves, this class project began. The goal was to provide materials and understanding for equitable access to cultural resources, and foster a greater understanding of the importance of ribbon skirts and shirts in First Nations and Métis culture for all students in the class.

Aiming to wear ribbon skirts and shirts at the annual Mount Royal Collegiate Pow Wow, this activity included cultural teachings that increased the meaning of making the clothing. It was interesting that some students planned on wearing them to the U of S Graduation Pow Wow.

One can tell the impact of this sewing project is huge when you listen to some of the sentiments shared by the students. “I have always wanted a ribbon shirt, but I didn’t know anyone who could help me make one or make one with me”, “I feel like I will fit in when we have cultural events at the school” and “I feel so proud that I made this ribbon skirt on my own!”.

All students happily learned about their own or another culture whether they were among the 7 who proudly identified as Indigenous, having Indigenous heritage or Métis, or the eight belong to other ethnic groups (Filipino, various European heritages). Several students asked to continue to study regalia and how different nations of Indigenous people showed their cultures and history through regalia which lead to a discussion on Potlach, Pow Wow’s and other ways of sharing knowledge and historical impact.

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Collaborative Classroom Land-based Learning

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A lot of learning comes from experience and being in the moment. Hence, the teachers deliberate actions to normalize incorporation of Indigenous learnings in the school culture to help Indigenous students, staff, and families feel valued. So, working with facilitators and elders outside the school, Grades 10-12 students of Lord Asquith School embarked on an authentic land-based learning opportunity to Askiy-Kamik culture camp on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. The days’ activities included Tipi teaching, Elder talk, and traditional land experiences.

It was a time of great learning for both the students and their teachers as they were able to physically see how a Tipi looks, how it is erected, as well as given the opportunity to hear the teachings around the Tipi from an elder. Right from the camp, teachers saw opportunities for bringing these teachings into the classroom. While students were more consistent in seeing Indigenous knowledge through a positive lens.

Trey Rousell excitedly said; “It was really fun to learn about a different culture and drink muskeg tea”.

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LloydFest 2019

LloydFest, a two-day summer celebration, was the first to bring the atmosphere of carnival to Lloydminster.

It brought together over 23 ethnocultural communities for ancestral education and demonstration of intercultural linkages through dance, arts, and food. There were social opportunities for people to interact across many differences (age, gender, sexuality, ability, culture, etc.).

The high point of the festival was a colourful street parade lead by Indigenous Friends. Participants from different countries clad in beautiful carnival costumes made their way to Bud Miller picnic shelter on Saturday in the great sunny weather. It was a beautiful sight to behold with hundreds of attendees lining both sides of the road.

The event included a one-day beer garden at Lakeland College from 8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Bud Miller was filled with 26 tent food vendors selling food from 10 different countries for two days.

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