PORCUPINE PLAIN – It was a week full of activities, from canoeing, learning birch bark biting and beading to plant identification and healing knowledge. It brought over 250 people to gather, and it all revolved around learning Métis culture.
Brent Digness, Metis Nation-Saskatchewan Minister for Economic Development and Tourism said this was the first camp in over 12 years in his region. Digness told SaskToday.ca it was more than he could ever have hoped for. “Watching some of the young people come to our camp with anger, and seeing the smiles on their faces as they left, made the camp have a bigger impact than imagined.”
The team created a camp-like experience where attendees could sleep in original Métis canvas trapper tents that were set up and provided. Elder Robert Whitehead of Yellow Quill First Nation shared his teachings of raising a teepee and began the “Wellness Through our Lands” program at Marean Lake. Participants could also sleep in the cabins, or many brought their own campers. The camp ran from Aug. 21 to 29 and had a wealth of Métis culture and teachings provided to families and participants who attended.
Digness wanted to thank the many people who made the camp possible, from the cooks provided breakfast, lunch and supper daily for the full week to security and clean-up crews.
Digness said the week-long camp provided a “Wellness through our lands program”, canoe lessons provided by Modes of Adventure, Joann the ‘Medicine Woman shared her wisdom with those in attendance as well as her talents from birch bark biting and beading to plant identification and healing knowledge. Participants were also able to build red river carts and create red willow dreamcatchers, yoga and sound bath experience with drumming.
The Creeland dancers and the Dean Smith Band took stage on Friday and on Saturday the Greg Campeau Band entertained those in attendance. The Sturgis archery club helped run an archery program. Digness said they had a sign language program for those with hearing impairments.
President of MN-S, Glen McCallum and his advisors were at the camp on Tuesday to bring greetings and partake in the gathering. There were many others from MN-S staff, the Our Moment Team, the wandering Métis and several Elders and youth from across the region. The Dallas Boyer Band provided fiddle music and cowboy poet; Larry Krauser provided entertainment around the evening fire.
ER II includes the communities of Nipawin, Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plain, Chelan, Archerwill Melfort, Preeceville and Wynyard.
Digness said after a week of activities and learning, rain was in the forecast, so the tents and teepees were taken down a day earlier.
Digness said that he has already booked the camp for next year. “This camp brought such a positive spirit to everyone. There was always someone to visit with and speak on unification and understanding. As Métis people, we want to thrive and speak on uniting with each other. This camp was as much for the parents as it was for our youth.”
Another camp in the fall is already planned at Kipabiskau Regional Park focused on equine therapy.
