Wapiti - March 2020


Mar. 12, 2020

March Quarterly 2020

Wapiti Regional Library

Indigenous Storytelling Celebrated Across Wapiti

Since 2004, Wapiti Regional Library has been proud to take part in Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month, a celebration of Indigenous storytelling, history, and culture held annually in February across the province.

This year 13 Storytelling events were held in libraries, and in partnership with local schools, in Tisdale, Nipawin, Humboldt, Marcelin, Christopher Lake, Paddockwood, Spiritwood, Debden, Leask, Kinistino, Choiceland, Duck Lake, and Blaine Lake.

Events included traditional Cree stories and songs by acclaimed Plains/Woodland Cree storyteller, actor, and singer/songwriter Joseph Naytowhow, traditional stories shared through puppetry by Chad Solomon of Rabbit and Bear Paws, and performances of award-winning actor Curtis Peeteetuce’s play, Immemorial. In addition, Randy Morin shared traditional Cree Storytelling with students, and Gloria Greyeyes shared stories preserved by her mother, the late Freda Ahenakew.

Over 900 members of the public attended Wapiti’s SAS Month events, making 2020 one of the best attended SAS Months held by the region. These events are made possible by the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal People’s committee, and grant funding from generous sponsors: Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Arts Board, Sask Culture, Access Copyright Foundation, SaskTel, Government of Saskatchewan, SIGA, and SaskPower.

Library Hosts MLA Q & A Session



On February 12, 2020, the Porcupine Public Library hosted MLA Hugh Nerlien (Sask party, Kelvington-Wadena) for a Question & Answer

session for adult and senior constituents.

Mr. Nerlien began with a presentation defining the role of federal and provincial governments, registered parties, various ministries and agencies, functions of constituencies, intergovernmental relationships, and then spent time explaining the budget process. He clarified the source of funds, explained expenses, and then engaged the audience in an exercise designed to help them understand the budgeting process and where the money goes.

Participants had been asked to attend with their questions in mind, so the session included discussion of concerns. Overall, it was an informative evening with attendees feeling that their questions had been addressed.

Outdoor Contest Lures Library Patrons

During the month of February, Christopher Lake Public Library patrons learned all about animal track identification. Conducted as a contest, the program called for individuals to submit photos of themselves beside a track with a note identifying what animal made the track in the snow.

To wrap up the contest in late February, the library hosted an awards ceremony with outdoor bannock making, hot chocolate, and prizes for the largest animal identified, the most unique identification, and who identified the most tracks. Conservation Officer Sylvester attended, displaying the "Furever" collection featuring a variety of Saskatchewan animal furs. The educational contest and ceremony was enjoyed by all ages.

Local Author Reads & Instructs at Library

In celebration of I Read Canadian Day on February 18, 2020, Saskatchewan author Ruth Chorney attended the Naicam Public Library to read from her work and provide writing instruction.

Chorney read from a variety of her children's books and poems, including a few of her new unpublished poems. After teaching about poetry, she had each class member write a poem that was then shared with the group.

Chorney lives on a farm north of Kelvington, SK. A retired educator, she has published four children's books (three in English, one in French) and one mystery novel.

STEM Build-a-Boat Program Challenges Patron Skills

In early March, Humboldt patrons rose to their local library's challenge to engage their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills to build small boats. The library provided a variety of materials, but it was up to the participants to develop construction plans, and then implement their ideas to build a working boat model.

Throughout a Saturday afternoon, families and

individuals dropped in to look over available materials such as craft sticks, rubber bands, plastic straws, string, pipe cleaners, tape, and construction paper. They then set to work coming up with a design.

The final test came when boats were launched in bins containing water. Triumphant captains used paper fans to help propel their crafts.

"The program was very popular with both children and adults," said Branch Librarian Michael Langhorst. "Boats of many types were built by big and little mariners."

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