Cultural Connections Brings Indigenous Teachings To Lloydminster Students And Community

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A change in venue did little to dampen the spirit of learning and connection as the City of Lloydminster marked Culture Days on September 30 with Cultural Connections – A Truth and Reconciliation Learning Experience.

Presented by Cenovus Energy, the event was originally planned for Weaver Heritage Park but was relocated to the Servus Sports Centre after a wind warning raised safety concerns, particularly for the elementary students expected to attend throughout the day. While the location changed, organizers were still able to bring much of the experience indoors, including the raising of tipis and a traditional Métis trapper tent. The event advertisement identified Cenovus Energy as the presenting sponsor and promoted an evening of traditional teachings, demonstrations and activities.

Beginning at 8 a.m., elementary students from Lloydminster Public School Division and local Catholic schools moved through a series of interactive stations where Elders, knowledge keepers and community members shared Indigenous and Métis traditions, teachings and stories.

The event focused on hands-on learning, giving students opportunities to listen, ask questions and participate in activities while learning about traditions and knowledge passed from generation to generation.

Among the presenters was Elder Vivian Whitstone, who shared tipi teachings, including the special meanings associated with each of the tipi poles.

Knowledge keeper Mike Young spoke about pipe ceremony and its significance, while Cynthia Young prepared fresh bannock, giving participants an opportunity to experience another tradition through food.

Lakeland College also took part in the day, with Kuna Gadwa and Wade Whitstone sharing traditional knowledge surrounding Indigenous hair teachings. Jazmyn Gartner offered teachings about Indigenous plants and their traditional medicinal uses.

Gartner participated in the collaborative Culture Days event alongside Lakeland College’s Karly Cusack and Lloydminster Public School Division’s Denae Bruce, as local organizations came together to share teachings with elementary students and the wider Lloydminster community.

For Gartner, sharing knowledge about Indigenous plants carries personal significance. She continues the work in honour of members of her family who attended a residential school.

Métis culture was also represented through Métis Local 18, with Lawrence Roy of Saskatoon leading hoop dancing demonstrations and workshops. Participants had an opportunity to learn about hoop dancing and try working with the hoops themselves. A traditional Métis trapper tent provided another setting for storytelling and cultural learning.

Creativity became another avenue for connection through Arts Without Borders. Participants contributed to a collaborative community artwork by using small pieces of colourful foam clay to create thumbprints on a canvas. As more people participated, the individual prints came together to form a larger piece featuring overlapping, multicoloured thumbprints. Visitors could also create flower crafts from foam clay.

Another station examined Treaty 6, giving participants an opportunity to explore objects connected to the treaty while learning about its intentions and significance.

Lloydminster is located in the heart of Treaty 6, the traditional homeland of the Plains Cree, Wood Cree, Dene and Saulteaux, as well as the Homeland of the Métis.

After a day focused largely on school groups, the doors opened to the public from 5 to 7 p.m., as originally planned. The event was promoted as free for the public to attend. Community members were able to move through the stations, participate in teachings, watch demonstrations, create art and enjoy freshly made bannock.

The event brought together local schools, Lakeland College, Métis Local 18, Arts Without Borders, the Lloydminster Museum + Archives and other community partners, providing an opportunity for Indigenous knowledge and traditions to be shared directly with students and members of the community.

Although strong winds forced Cultural Connections away from its planned outdoor setting at Weaver Heritage Park, moving the event indoors allowed the day’s activities to continue safely while maintaining its focus on education, participation and connection.

Through storytelling, ceremony, dance, art, food and traditional teachings, Cultural Connections gave those in attendance an opportunity to learn from Elders and knowledge keepers while taking part in a shared Truth and Reconciliation learning experience.