Culture Days Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Culture Days Saskatchewan

Knittin’ in the Mall

September 4, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Another group that is using knitting as a means of participating in Culture Days is a collective in North Battleford.

There are several ‘Knitting Circles’ scheduled during the month of September in various public locations around the city. One such locale is the Co-Op Mall. A group of 13 knitters gathered on September 4th for a couple hours and began their knitting contribution. Like the Waldheim Knitters (mentioned in the previous post), this group of knitters plans on meeting in Central Park on Saturday, September 27 to yarn bomb some trees and lamp posts.

But, before the big installation the group will meet several times, as they did on September 4th, and prepare their knitted pieces.

I have to admit, there was something amusing and inspiring about walking into a mall and seeing a group of knitters creating and visiting. It was such a juxtaposition between what I consider a domestic, cozy, intimate, solitary practice and the sterile, public environment of a mall. When I came around the corner and saw the group of knitters the space was instantly transformed. It changed from a place of business and aloof transaction into a warm, friendly place. Further, it morphed from a space of commerce and consumption to a giving place of hand-made production.

Update on the Waldheim YarnBombers

September 4, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

I stopped in to see how the Waldheim Yarnbombers are doing, and things are progressing.

Some of the students continued to knit during the summer and are ready to start stitching their pieces to the trees at the front of the school. Other students were newcomers. They came to our gathering for the first time and learnt how to knit and/or crochet, and are eager to create pieces for their yarn-bombed tree.

I selected my spot that I’ll be yarn-bombing, and am eager to install it on the morning of September 16th.

I was told by Wendy (the organizer of our group) that CTV is coming to the school on that day to report on the first phase of our installation–how exciting! It will be good publicity for the school and their participation in Culture Days.

Preparing to Launch

August 13, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

My second visit to Rockglen took place in the Library. A group of us met Wednesday morning and made Origami Boats in preparation for our ‘Lighted Launch,’ which will take place on Wednesday September 24th.

Like before, I gave a demonstration on how to make an Origami boat and played a short video that reinforced this teaching.

Then, we broke off into smaller groups and went through the process step-by-step.

All and all, we made about fifty boats that day and I hope to return one more time before the launch.

Later that night, a couple of Rockglen residents took me to Fife Lake (about a ten minute drive out of town), where the ‘Lighted Launch’ will take place.

It’s a beautiful lake.

The two residents, Richard and Darcy, (who are in their early sixties) explained to me how when they were young this Lake/Regional Park was the place to be. The campground was always full. Locals came for the weekend. There were swimming lessons, ball tournaments, a rodeo, etc. Then in the late 80s the lake began to dry up and by the year 2000 it was nothing more than a small puddle.

In the last two years, however, the lake has been completely restored. The night I was there, people were kayaking and boating. Kids were skipping stones. People were camping. And others were playing ball in the nearby diamonds, practicing for the ball tournament that was about to take place that weekend.

Listening to people talk about the lake I really got a sense of how relieved they are that “it came back.”

I was told that it’s the ebb and flow of nature, the cycle of water, that makes it so that a lake can completely disappear and then reappear. Plus, I was told it’s our human ‘footprint’ that disrupts nature “like that.” Many blamed a local coal mine for the water disappearing.

Either way, all seem happy to see the return of their lake. And rightly so. From a Cultural perspective this lake is of utmost importance. Look at all the activity that is dependant this lake. Even at it’s rudimentary level, even if a person does not participate in any activity at all, it is a gathering place. People who live in the same community, but do not necessarily visit, gather here and share.

Keeping this in mind, I find it wildly appropriate that we are having a ceremony that will celebrate this lake–a celebration that will further bring people together. I can’t wait.

All Nations Healing Moon Gathering

August 10, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Most of my Culture Days Activities (and therefore these posts) focus on the bright side of our society. They focus on the fun, creative, celebratory nature of Saskatchewan.

While I enjoy the positivity of these endeavours and those aspects our Culture, I also feel that if we’re going to put forth a call to engage in Culture we have to be open to all potential aspects of what this might be.

The “All Nations Healing Moon Gathering” is one such example of what I am speaking about. Muskoday First Nation invites the families of those who have murdered and missing loved-ones to gather during the August Full/Super Moon, so as to grieve and heal. During this gathering there is much ceremony and cultural activity. There is a Sweatlodge, drumming, smudging, talking circles, the drying of meat and fish, the collection of sweetgrass and sage, feasts, and more.

That said, I was more than happy to be asked to attend this gathering and facilitate a craft or art workshop that could run alongside all the other activities.

They set up a tent for me and during the day I ran a simple styrofoam print workshop. I had many children come and stay the day and make several prints, which we then hung by clothes-pin on twine, around the tent. Even a few adults came and sat and visited for the duration of my stay.

I’m not sure if it was the nature of the gathering, people’s vulnerability, or the magic of the Super Moon, but there was a ‘closeness’ that is difficult to articulate. Perhaps a couple of examples will suffice: the Autistic boy who would only address me as Auntie, or the War Veteran who told me various stories from his three tours of duty.

It’s challenging to look at aspects of Culture such as the missing and murdered. But it’s there. So what better way to deal with this troubling experience than with creativity, song, traditions, ceremony, and Art.

Making Origami Boats at “Arts in the Park”

June 15, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

One of the Culture Days projects I am facilitating is a collaboration between Rockin’ Beach, Arts in the Park Festival, Rockglen Library and Rockglen School. We are going to make origami boats during the summer and early fall. Then on the Culture Days weekend, we will put a small candle in them and set them afloat on Fife Lake during a dusk gathering at Rockglen Beach.

The kick-off for this project took place at the Arts in the Park Festival (June 14) at Rockglen School. This wonderful little festival included all genres of art: live music, award winning authors, painters, knitters, quilting, photography and more.

I nestled in between an incredible Fibre/Earth Art display that investigated the aesthetics of decomposition on fibre and a young entrepreneur who aspires to be a ‘nail artist.’ And judging from the continuous line of customers I’d say that ten year old is well on her way to actualizing her dream.

I had approximately 20 people stop and make a boat, and I’m sure I talked to at least another twenty about our endeavours.

Many from an older generation stopped to tell me they had made such boats in school, and that they could remember it clearly.

Making origami boats!

Even fun for the boys!

I have made plans to return to the community a couple more times to carry-out more workshops: once in the Regional Library and once at the School.

Come join us! And watch for the boats during Culture Days!

Shekinah Art Adventure

June 1, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Builds Community, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

For twenty-two years a group of approximately 15 – 20 female Textile Artists have been gathering one weekend a year (usually in the Qu’Appelle Valley) for an Art Retreat. They call it the Shekinah Art Adventure.

This year they gathered at the Edam Hunting Lodge around the last weekend of May. I attended the Retreat on Saturday and Sunday, and spoke to almost all of the ladies about Culture Days.

Many were interested in having their artistic craft skills included in Culture Days. Further, one lady was particularly interested in collaborating as soon as possible in preparation for said event. As is often the case, this lady is not limited to one ‘art world.’ She not only is a Fibre Artist she runs the North Battleford Community Theatre. So, Kevin might be getting a call too in the near future.

Meetings & Gatherings

May 22, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

Bonnie Mills-Midgely, Community Development Coordinator for the Rivers West DSCR, has invited me to a few of their meetings, and I must say these gatherings have been invaluable.

The first meeting was in North Battleford, on April 22. My contemporary, Kevin Power, was also in attendance.

The meeting was informal. We went around the room and introduced ourselves and spoke of what we hoped to garnish from the gathering. Both Kevin and I not only introduced SK Culture Days to the group, but we also got to speak about our own repertoire of capabilities, our hopes for Culture Days, and offered our services to those who were interested.

Again, this kind of networking is invaluable. Many at the meeting were unaware of the role that Animateurs play in SK Culture Days, and were happy and interested to hear of how we can facilitate the celebration of their communities. Some, surprisingly, did not know about Culture Days at all. While others were eager to provide their business card and book us for an event.

After attending a few of these meetings, I definitely suggest further attendance for future Animateurs. They are a great way to advertise, network, and ‘get things on the go!’

A School Garden

May 14, 2014/in Blogs, Culture Days, Karlie, Uncategorized/by Karlie

I stand to be corrected, but we may have a “SK First” here… all because of Culture Days.

Arising out of one of the meetings with Rivers West, Susan Plant, Principal of Lashburn Elementary School, called me and asked me to help her actualize a vision she has for her school.

She wants a School Garden.

There are two spaces surrounding the school that she wants transformed into gardens. At the front of the school is a large flat area that will be Vegetable Garden. Created by Students, Maintained by Students, Harvested by Students.
And at the entrance of the school there is a triangle patch that will be transformed into a colourful, bright, planter garden (using up-cycled materials).

I am not sure, but I think the Vegetable Garden may be a first. I have not heard of a Saskatchewan school having its very own garden (created, planted, maintained, and harvested by students). …. You should have seen the look on the students face when I told them they could come eat peas whenever they felt like it! A combo of surprise and delight.