KAMSACK — “It's been a long time since I got to come home and do a workshop. I acknowledge every one of you and all the spirits you brought into this room,” said Leona Quewezance, as she concluded her speech in a growing applause at the ‘Better Together’ wellness event.
Quewezance, a Saulteaux woman from Keeseekoose First Nation, is a Hepatitis C advocate and survivor, a gatherer and a traditional practitioner, children of residential school survivors and a proud mother.
On May 28-30, Elders, knowledge keepers, donors, political leaders, frontline workers and speakers came together in Kamsack’s OCC Hall to discuss and help access health information for a registration of 459 people – “a huge success” – including involvement from local families with children and around 100 students and teachers from Kamsack Comprehensive Institute and Chief Gabriel Education Complex.
To many participants the event was a therapeutic experience made possible with people opening up and sharing the difficult stories of theirs, and received only with respect and compassion.
“Me too, my parents went to residential school. Me too, I need to hear the words: ‘I love you…’ We never grew up with our language. I learned little bits as I go, but not very much yet.
“But I can say that I've been reintroduced to my culture through my years working in all nations, so I've actually been slowly reintegrating my culture back into my life,’” Quewezance continued. “...It's been a privilege for me to find my ceremonies.”
“You can use the word love. Love is a big word, and an action word…” said the event MC of showing loved ones our affection with his own stories.
One year later, transforming from an outdoor ‘trade show’ that lasted one day, to a three-day indoor event with workshops, presentations and activities, the fair has allowed room for more engagement with people who are tentative about approaching with health anxieties, to learn the needs, the vendors said.
“Their community spirit is inspiring,” said Megan Crane, the primary health care manager at the Kamsack Hospital who is also one of the 10 event organizers. “We know that the key to wellness lies within the communities and the people themselves, and hope to continue to build on these connections.”
During the planning process, Ross Cadotte, an Indian Residential Schools Resolution Support Worker with Yorkton Tribal Council, approached local elders with tobacco, as well as local Christian and Catholic faith groups to give prayers so that the community would be the biggest benefactors of the event, Crane explained.
“I come to all the community workshops. Today I just woke up and hit the highway (to come to the event),” said Tilly Cote, 60, when she asked to take a picture of her longtime friendship.
Tilly said her biggest takeaway for the day is “knowing that some people are walking the red road to sobriety.”
Eleanore Brazeau-Brass, Child and Family Services First Nation Representative with the Key First Nation, said the planning team will likely have another meeting post-event to reflect and plan for the next.
“In each year that comes along, we hope to bring in new people and we hope to get the people coming in too…” said Darlene Bryant, Cote First Nation Health Director.
“…Not only this group of people understands but a new group will come in and they'll begin to understand, and will take on the idea that everything is better together,” added Brazeau-Brass with a laugh.
In an email statement, the organizers said they appreciated the generosity of the many local businesses and organizations that donated prizes.
“We are grateful for the many leaders who attended and gave encouraging words around the importance of mental health, living well, and working as a team, including Keeseekoose Chief Alvin Musqua Jr., Cote Councillor Loretta Friday, The Key First Nation Councillor David D Cote, FSIN Vice Chief Dutch Lerat, and GSSD Superintendent Amanda Kornaga.”
