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.

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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