Nationally-known Indigenous artist hoping to fulfill goal of mural in Melfort

Jayda Taylor
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Nationally-known Indigenous artist hoping to fulfill goal of mural in Melfort

A nationally recognized Indigenous artist is eyeing a mural in Melfort as one of his next big projects.

Jerry Whitehead, originally from James Smith Cree Nation, currently has his work on display at Melfort’s Sherven-Smith Art Gallery in the Kerry Vickar Centre.

Many of his paintings depict colourful pow wow scenes, something he was exposed to growing up watching his family members dance in cultural celebrations.

“A lot of it relates to family, it also relates to nature and stuff, my influences growing up as a child,” said Whitehead.

“My mom, she used to do a lot of crafts, like colourful braided rugs that really influenced me a lot, too.”

Whitehead is hoping the exhibit sparks more of an artistic footprint in Melfort, leading to a mural somewhere along the highway that runs through town.

“I want it to be real visible,” he said.

“Murals are interesting. They’ve been really popular in the last few years all over the world, it’s just like everybody’s getting on the bandwagon with them. It’s a good way of beautifying a city or a town.”

One of Jerry Whitehead’s 60 x 94 in. paintings, titled ‘Being Around Grandma. — Jerry Whitehead/Website.

Whitehead left James Smith Cree Nation when he attended residential school in Prince Albert. Following high school graduation, he moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia for art school, eventually making his way to his current home in Vancouver.

There, he estimates he’s done between 20 and 30 murals – one on a seven-story building and another on a retaining wall that’s three blocks long.

On top of adding colour to public spaces, Whitehead said murals can spread a celebratory message about Indigenous ways of life.

That’s what he hopes the current exhibit provides to people in the Melfort area.

Although it wasn’t intentional, according to Whitehead, the start of the exhibit coincided with the first anniversary of the mass stabbings at James Smith at the beginning of September. The killing left 11 people dead and another 17 injured.

“I hope it encourages a lot of the younger people there, especially from my home community to think of art as another way. I’ve done it all my life so it’s probably the biggest encouragement I could give them,” said Whitehead.

“Coming from that area, you don’t expect to have your art there. It’s like coming full circle for me.”

Whitehead said he grew up drawing “like any other kid.” However, he often used alternative materials to sketching pencils, such as ashes from a fire or lead from his father’s bullets.

He said he would likely come up with a new piece for a mural in Melfort, and is hoping to fulfill the project next summer.

The exhibit at the Kerry Vickar Centre runs until Sept. 30.

Tapestrama returns with goal to enhance and celebrate intercultural connections

Jayda Taylor
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Tapestrama returns with goal to enhance and celebrate intercultural connections

Tapestrama is back.

This weekend, the Carlton Cafetorium will be filled with various performers, artisans, food and other events showcasing the wide range of cultures around Prince Albert.

“I would really like to encourage people to come so that they will learn more and see more about the diverse cultures that we have in our community. It’s beautiful, and it is also an event or a platform where everyone is welcome and very safe,” said Michelle Hassler, executive director of the Prince Albert Multicultural Council.

“It’s also about the newcomers and the immigrants learning about the Canadian culture and the Indigenous culture and histories. It’s the intercultural connections and awareness that we would like people to know.”

On both Saturday and Sunday, performers are scheduled between noon and 6 p.m. They include Lucas Welsh, Christie-Anne Blondeau, the Chinese Dance School of Saskatchewan, Ashden School of Irish Dance, Phil and Dallas Boyer and the Oral Fuentes Reggae Band.

Youth ambassador Laeticia Mwayuma has organized a fashion show, set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.

“She has some models, various newcomers and Indigenous, and they will showcase and feature their traditional clothing, the meaning of the dresses, the meaning of the jewelry, the meaning of the hairstyles,” described Hassler.

She said the fashion show brings an element of learning unique to the festival.

“We’ve learned a lot about the dances and the songs and the music, but we’ve never really learned about the traditional clothing. There’s meaning, there’s different clothing in different locations.”

Hassler said Tapestrama has been in Prince Albert for 40 years – and has particularly evolved in the past decade.

“What I’ve heard from the history, Tapestrama started from just newcomer groups gathering together,” she said.

“It has grown to a community event that is open to everyone in the community. We have seen an increased number of our Indigenous communities that are also joining in, as well as the Canadian (culture)…it’s really nice to see that growth.”

New to Tapestrama this year is well-known Indigenous hoop dancer and storyteller Terrence Littletent. He’s scheduled to perform at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Aside from the variety of food and performers, vendors will be on site with cultural merchandise, such as Nigerian merchandise by Funmilola Fasakin Afolabi and Indian jewelry and art by Anamika Gupta.

Hassler said Tapestrama is one of the multicultural council’s largest annual events.

The festival is part of Culture Days from Sept. 22 to Oct. 15. 

On Saturday, there’s also an open house from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Arts Centre with the potters guild, rocks and gems, spinners and weavers, Northern Image Photography and Studio 1010. From 2 to 4 p.m., the Prince Albert Historical Society is hosting an event to learn about Canada’s British Home Children.

Truth and Reconciliation Day: Here’s how you can recognize the impact of residential schools in Prince Albert

Jayda Taylor
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Truth and Reconciliation Day: Here’s how you can recognize the impact of residential schools in Prince Albert

Groups across Prince Albert are preparing events and initiatives for the public to recognize the upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Coinciding with Orange Shirt Day on Sept. 30, the statutory holiday is intended for recognizing the legacy of residential schools and honouring survivors. The federal government first recognized Truth and Reconciliation Day in 2021.

“Truth and reconciliation is something we should be learning and doing every day, but certainly it’s an important day to recognize history and to really listen,” said Judy MacLeod Campbell, arts and culture coordinator for the City of Prince Albert.

For the second year, the city is lending out a stencil with a design by local Indigenous artist Ailah Carpenter. Businesses and organizations can use the stencil for their windows or sidewalks.

“The stencil is just one way, right, that businesses can recognize that ‘Hey, we’re here. We understand. We’re respecting Orange Shirt Day and what it means and what it represents,’” said MacLeod Campbell.

“It’s a beautiful (design), and it’s something that we can do in our community and for our community.”

Last year, she said, the city saw eight different groups borrow the stencil, some of which used it in multiple places. So far this year, five groups have used it, including the Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division.

Shirts with the design are available to purchase at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre. 

Limitless Gear Clothing also has orange shirts with its own logo available at the Lake Country Co-op Food Store or on its website. The local business has donated a thousand dollars from sales so far to the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) Women’s Commission for scholarships.

Two walks are set to take place on Sept. 30, one hosted by the PAGC and the other by the Friendship Centre and Navy League.

The PAGC event will begin at 10 a.m. at the MMIWG monument downtown, concluding at the PAGC building. The Friendship Centre and Navy League walk will begin at 3 p.m. at Kinsmen Park and finish at City Hall.

The Friendship Centre and First Nations University of Canada are also hosting a feast and round dance between 5 p.m. and midnight. That will take place at the Friendship Centre.

On Sept. 28, the Arts Centre is doing a blanket exercise at 7 p.m.

The 10 for 10 campaign

While the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation has only been federally recognized for three years, this year marks the 10th Orange Shirt Day.

The movement began with survivor Phyllis Webstad. A residential school in British Columbia stripped her of all of clothing and personal belongings, including the orange shirt she wore on the day she was taken away.

The International Indigenous Speakers Bureau (IISB) is challenging 10 per cent of Canadians to watch a video of Webstad’s story as part of its 10 for 10 campaign. The organization hopes to reach its goal by the winter solstice on Dec. 21.

The IISB says by listening to her first-hand account of residential school, you’re taken a meaningful step towards reconciliation.

According to the IISB, there were 139 federally-recognized residential schools in Canada, but the total residential institutions amounted to around 1,200. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission report says over 150,000 Indigenous students across the country attended residential schools.

Northern Sask. author, illustrator announced as finalist for $20K national award

Jayda Taylor
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Northern Sask. author, illustrator announced as finalist for $20K national award

A northern Saskatchewan children’s book author and illustrator has been shortlisted for a $20,000 national award.

Miriam Körner’s book, Fox and Bear, is in the running to win the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award by The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). Out of the seven awards, the Marilyn Baillie award holds the second largest prize, behind the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award for $50,000.

“The other shortlisters, the illustrators on there, are some illustrators that I’ve always looked up to when I started out my career,” said Körner, who lives in Air Ronge.

“It was just a really incredible feeling to see my name next to their names.”

The story follows the fox, who begins coming up with ways to make life more efficient without having to hunt and gather. Then, the bear is left to decide how he wants to live his life.

Although the book is up for interpretation, Körner said it’s intended for children “to think deeply about the relationship we have to the natural world.”

“When we think about the future, if there’s a way to move back towards that (connection) – and Fox and Bear kind of represent two very different characters.”

Fox and Bear is told through illustrations that Körner cut out from recycled paper and cardboard. She put the cut-outs together in a small theatre and photographed them to create the pages.

“This is a story that was kind of inspired by the massive amount of clearcutting that was happening in northern Saskatchewan. Just seeing the devastation of that, I didn’t want to use paper that comes from the forest,” she said.

On the list of finalists, the book’s illustrations are described as “inventive” and “intricately detailed,” which “perfectly underscore the message of this timely tale that raises important questions for young readers to ponder about sustainability and decision making.”

Körner said if she won, the $20,000 would go towards re-building a cabin that was destroyed by wildfires in 2015.

“It’s been such an honour to be on that shortlist, and even if it goes as far as that, it caught the attention of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre in Ontario, which means the book if falling into the hands of new readers and that’s already a big reward in its own,” she said.

The four other shortlisters for the award are Boobies by Nancy Vo (Vancouver), I’m Not Sydney by Marie-Louise Gray (Outremont, QC), Lizzy and the Cloud by The Fan Brothers (Toronto), and Mina by Matthew Forsythe (Montreal). The winner will be announced on Oct. 23.

Fox and Bear was originally published about a year ago.

Körner has come out with several other children’s and young adult books since her first was published in 2016. This includes When We Had Sled Dogs, Winter Dogs, Qaqavii and Li’l Shadd: A Story of Ujima.

Fuelling good: Lake Country Co-op supports 5 charities with annual fundraiser

Jayda Taylor
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Fuelling good: Lake Country Co-op supports 5 charities with annual fundraiser

Lake Country Co-op’s Fuel Good Day on Tuesday is supporting five different charities or non-profits across central and northern Saskatchewan.

In Prince Albert, Co-op is donating 10 cents per litre of fuel and a dollar from every Cooperative coffee or Big Cool to the city’s Mobile Crisis Unit and Sexual Assault Centre – which also serves La Ronge, Meadow Lake, and surrounding areas.

The Prince Albert Raiders are on site at the Cornerstone and Second Avenue locations throughout the day, along with NASCAR driver Shantel Kalika from 2 to 6 p.m. in Cornerstone.

There’s also a BBQ from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Cornerstone location with a minimum donation of five dollars.

In Shellbrook, funds go to the Parkland Pool Project and, in Christopher Lake/Paddockwood, CPL Recreation.

Nipawin’s Fuel Good Day proceeds benefit the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. In La Ronge and Air Ronge, money goes to KidsFirst North.

Phantom Light Distillery takes home provincial award among ‘really tough competition’

Jayda Taylor
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Phantom Light Distillery takes home provincial award among ‘really tough competition’

A Prince Albert distillery is toasting to winning a provincial business award.

Phantom Light Distillery took home the New Venture ABEX Award in Saskatoon on Saturday. The ABEX awards are hosted by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

“There was some really tough competition there that we were up against, so it was actually quite surprising to me that we won,” said business partner Brendan Miller.

“Things just keep on rolling for us.”

Finalists also included Weyburn’s MegaDry Disaster Restoration Inc., Regina’s REV Auto Group Inc., Saskatoon’s The Prairie Grazer and Yorkton’s Vetted HVAC Services Ltd.

The New Venture Award celebrates a business that’s been in existence for three years or less, which has shown positive current or expected profitability, job creation and entry into new markets.

Last year, Phantom Light Distillery won platinum at the international SIP Awards in California, judged solely by consumers. They were also the house vodka at GMC Stadium for the Calgary Stampede this summer.

Its partnerships – such as with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and University of Saskatchewan athletics – have allowed Phantom Light to take off.

“They allow us to get into the community and visit one-on-one and make relationships with people throughout the province, all the way from the north with the La Ronge Ice Wolves down to Estevan and Weyburn,” said Miller.

The distillery recently came out with a spiced vodka, which Miller said is competing with spiced rums.

“We’ve made it all natural because when we take out so many of the impurities, we didn’t want to just go on the market with something that tastes good, but is full of chemicals,” he added.

Ultimately, Miller said, hard work has landed their name across Saskatchewan, even starting to hit the shelves in Alberta.

“It’s a lot of work, but at the same time, you have something really special to share with people,” said Miller.

Phantom Light Distillery has grown to seven partners, between Prince Albert and Saskatoon, since it hit the market in 2020.

The distillery also won the New Venture Award at the Prince Albert chamber’s Samuel McLeod Business Awards in April. They were nominated for Business of the Year and the Marketing Award.

In photos: The grand opening of the Rotary Adventure Park

Jayda Taylor
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In photos: The grand opening of the Rotary Adventure Park

The City and Rotary Club of Prince Albert held the grand opening of the new adventure park at Little Red on Friday. The city invited two schools for children to play over the lunch hour, followed by a BBQ sponsored by Lake Country Co-op. As the Rotary Club’s Keith Fonstad explained, they’re still working on an outdoor kitchen, lighting and a year-round washroom. The playground is estimated to hold around 300 children.

Lieutenant Governor Russ Mirasty speaks at the grand opening of the Rotary Adventure Park on Sept. 15, 2023. Rotary Club president Austin Atchinson stands behind. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald
The city recently put up signage and benches at the Rotary Adventure Park that feature its many sponsors, including Alfred’s Zip Park, named after Malcolm Jenkins’ father. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald
The Tatanka Kuwa Drum Group plays an honour song behind a new sign welcoming guests to the Rotary Adventure Park on Sept. 15, 2023. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald
Philanthropist Malcolm Jenkins speaks at the Rotary Adventure Park’s grand opening on Sept. 15, 2023. This is one of several parks in Prince Albert Jenkins and his family have supported. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald
Mayor Greg Dionne was joined by Couns. Don Cody and Dawn Kilmer at the Rotary Adventure Park opening on Sept. 15, 2023. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald
Each section of the new Rotary Adventure Park is now marked with a sign that features the park’s contributors. – Jayda Taylor/Daily Herald

Alt-country band The Goddamsels coming to Prince Albert for end of summer tour

Jayda Taylor
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Alt-country band The Goddamsels coming to Prince Albert for end of summer tour

The Goddamsels are bringing an alternative country sound to Prince Albert in one of the last stops on their Wayward Summer Tour.

The Alberta band, consisting of singers Mallory Chipman and Freddi MacDougall, will be performing at The Rock Trout on Friday.

“Feeling like we’re making connections meaningfully with people is, I think, the most important part, and we’ve felt that along the way,” said Chipman about the tour.

“That’s been definitely the most encouraging part, is we’ve seen so much organic growth in our listeners and followers online.”

While the pair often labels their music as alternative country, it also melds a variety of genres.

“Country music has taken on so many forms in recent years. I would say we’re more borrowing from either traditional country, roots, americana…but lots of influences from folk music and some rock and some blue grass make their way in their, too,” described Chipman.

Chipman and MacDougall will be performing with a full band, giving them more variability in music. Some pieces will be more vocal heavy, she said, while some will pick up into more of a rock sound.

But Chipman said their vocals is what they’re known for.

“The vocal harmonies are one of the most memorable or noteworthy pieces that we put on display through our songwriting, that’s a really special part of what we offer.”

This will be The Goddamsels’ first time playing in Prince Albert. They’ll be joined by Janaya McCallum, half of the well-known folks duo Jay & Jo. 

Chipman and MacDougall started singing together in a house band at Edmonton’s Blue Chair Cafe in 2015.

That blossomed into a further friendship, where they dreamt of one day branching out and creating their own songs.

“(We) always thought one day when we have more time or whatever it is, we should write our own tunes and make something of this,” she said.

While both are originally from Alberta, MacDougall moved to Montreal a few years ago.

“Kind of funny timing, we decided now’s the moment we’re going to start a band,” said Chipman.

“We definitely were invited to pivot a little bit and explore different ways of collaborating, but from there, we just sort of decided that’s not a barrier that’s going to hold us back. We’ve been making it work for about three years.”

Continuing their friendship at a distance is the meaning behind the lead song in their Wayward Daughter EP, which released in June last year. The EP features six tunes, also including Catch Myself, Rollanda, Sorry, Take Care and See You Next Time.

The show at The Rock Trout will begin at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7:30. Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door.

City of Prince Albert stands firm on CUPE 882 offer as Monday deadline for strike action nears

Jayda Taylor
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City of Prince Albert stands firm on CUPE 882 offer as Monday deadline for strike action nears

The City of Prince Albert isn’t budging on its offer to CUPE 882 employees, despite the Monday deadline creeping closer for strike action.

CUPE 882, which represents employees at City Hall and recreation facilities, says it will be fully withdrawing services on Monday if it hasn’t reached a tentative agreement with the City.

Union members have twice voted to reject the City’s offer of an 11 per cent wage increase over four years, with an extra .5 per cent for the lowest-paid employees. The union has countered with a 12 per cent increase.

“I understand this is designed to put pressure on the City, but it does not change the fact that this is a good offer and we will not ask the taxpayers of Prince Albert to pay more,” said Kiley Bear, director of corporate services with the City.

Bear said the union’s counter-offer would require a 2.4 per cent mill rate increase next year.

Mira Lewis, who’s responsible for bargaining with CUPE 882, said the union doesn’t want to go on strike.

“We’re not demanding that the employer agree to the last offer that we put on the table – we’re saying we want to get back to the table and talk,” she said.

“I don’t understand how it’s come to this,” added Lewis. “It’s always been a decent relationship, and we have gone to the labour board, we have had arbitrations, but very few.”

CUPE 882 has been in existence for 70 years and has never had a strike. In Saskatchewan, CUPE’s last strike was in 2007.

“The only way to create solutions, to come to an agreement is at the table,” she said.

“I know it’s getting down to the short strokes, but there’s a lot of hours between now and Monday.”

Bear said the City’s 11 per cent offer is the best in the province, yet the union is “doubling down on their position that this is a low ball offer.”

Lewis said the City isn’t meeting the needs of staff who are struggling with the cost of living.

The City has approved the same 11 per cent increase for out-of-scope workers. However, Lewis said managers make a significant amount more, and that the increase isn’t fair to a union worker who makes $40,000, for example.

CUPE 882 has been taking legal strike action since Aug. 10. Employees started with refusing to train managers, coworkers and contractors, followed by foregoing dress codes, policies, conventions and standards.

If they haven’t bargained by Monday, Lewis estimated 130 employees would go on strike. This includes workers at City Hall, the EA Rawlinson Centre, Art Hauser Centre, Alfred Jenkins Fieldhouse, Frank J. Dunn Pool and the Arts Centre.

The City said it’s assessing its operations and will provides updates if CUPE 882 moves forward with a full strike.

“Our offers stands and we are prepared to sign the deal today if they are,” said Bear.

‘Very hectic places:’ SGI reminding drivers to slow down in school zones

Jayda Taylor
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‘Very hectic places:’ SGI reminding drivers to slow down in school zones

Students are strapping on their backpacks for a new year in the classroom – With the excitement comes reminders for drivers and parents to do their part in keeping children safe in school zones.

Media relations manager with SGI, Tyler McMurchy, said he spent Tuesday morning in school zones.

“The volume of traffic and the excitement was something to behold, really. Kids are coming to school, their parents are dropping them off, you’ve got school buses, in addition to the regular commuter traffic,” he said.

“They’re very hectic places.”

Prince Albert has four new school zones this year: Riverside School, Princess Margaret School, Ecole St. Anne School and Queen Mary School. 

City council passed amendments to the traffic bylaw last month after the Board of Police Commissioners requested a reduction in speeds, saying it was “deeply concerned with the potential of vehicle pedestrian accidents.”

“Fortunately, school zone collisions with pedestrians are quite rare in Saskatchewan. It’s not zero,” said McMurchy.

“We want to keep it that way or eliminate them entirely.”

A large part of reducing the likelihood of collisions is reminding drivers to obey speed limits and to drive without distractions.

In Prince Albert, drivers must slow down to at least 30 km/hr in school zones. U-turns in school zones are also prohibited.

“It gives you more cushion, more reaction time and also if a collision were to occur, it reduces the severity of it,” McMurchy said about decreased speed.

He said it’s also beneficial for parents to have conversations with their kids about being safe around moving vehicles. 

This includes looking both ways before crossing the street and not darting out on to the road – but still, these things are likely to happen.

“Kids don’t always do what they’re supposed to. They don’t always pay attention to the rules or instructions that they’re given, so really drivers need to make up that extra ground,” he said.

The Prince Albert Police Service is focusing on traffic enforcement in school zones throughout the week.

School zones are in effect from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, from September to June.

Last year’s monthly Traffic Safety Spotlight from SGI found 195 tickets for speeding in school zones in Saskatchewan. This doesn’t include tickets from photo speed enforcement.

Ten drivers also received $230 tickets for failing to yield for pedestrians at crosswalks.

Statistics have varied, though, in recent years with 611 speeding tickets issued in 2021, 673 in 2020 and 1,424 in 2019.

RCMP say so far this year, officers with Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan (CTSS) have laid 159 charges and given 81 warnings for speeding in school zones.

The RCMP is also reminding parents to be cognizant of what they’re posting on social media.

It recommends limiting posting personal information such as your child’s school, age and favourite things, as well as ensuring the background of the photo doesn’t give away where you live.

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