The ceremony may have been short and sweet Saturday, but to those honoured it was a meaningful and appreciated ceremony held at the Battleford Legion Hall.
The Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum honoured five individuals and three families for their contributions to Saskatchewan's heritage and their efforts within their communities and the province as part of the centennial celebration of people of African descent.
"I do what I do, because this is my community," said Gordon Yarde an honoured guest at the ceremony. "Most of the others honoured were able to share their talents, for me it was just wanting to make my community (the Battlefords) a better place."
Yarde was honoured as the first African decent politician in Saskatchewan as he served as a town councilor in 1985 and was in and out of politics since. Yarde is also a key community member, as he is on numerous boards and has spent countless hours working with problemed youth while also working in the health care system.
Yarde was the final person honoured on the night, the first was Jane Shury. MC Reggie Newkirk explained Shury was being honoured for her work with preserving Saskatchewan's baseball history and the history of those players of African decent.
One of those players Shury and the directors of the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum chose to induct this year was Roberto Zayes. Along with the Baseball Hall of Fame induction, Zayes was honoured at the SACHM presentation Saturday. Zayas passed away in 2006, but his family members were on hand to receive the praise of the great baseball player who game to Canada after being born and raised in Cuba. Zayas made a brief stop in he Battlefords during his baseball career, which spanned nearly 15 years in Saskatchewan alone. Not only was Zayas a baseball player, but also he worked with intellectually challenged individuals at the Valley View Centre in Moose Jaw as well as doing some volunteer counseling.
Don Hodgins was another individual honoured at the SACHM presentation. Hodgins served as the vice principal at North Battleford Comprehensive High School from 1975 to 2003 and was a cornerstone of the Vikings' football program. His football intellect and enthusiasm helped to send numerous players on to play with the Saskatoon Hiltops and CIS teams. He also was instrumental in the careers of Sheldon Napastuk and Ruben Mayes. Napastuk went on to play 126 games in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders before retiring in 2007.
Mayes was honoured on the weekend along with his high school coach, but not as an individual - instead in the family category. Rueben was the great-grandson Joseph and Mattie Mayes. The Mayes family, with their 13 children moved out of slavery to Canada and Mattie and Joseph were able to watch their children and grandchildren grow up in freedom. Rueben was one of seven children to Marie and Murray Mayes. He worked his way through the Vikings' football program and after hours spent by Hodgins to find him a scholarship, he moved on to play university football and up to the NFL, where he set records and turned heads as one of only three players born in Saskatchewan to play in the NFL. Rueben wasn't the only Mayes with world-class talent - his cousin Lesa Mayes-Stinger was a world-class bobsleigher form 2001 to '06 and was also born in North Battleford. The Mayes family was also credited for having the first veterinarian of colour explained Newkirk at the ceremony. Maddie was previously honoured individually for her work at the Shiloh Church in Maidstone and now will be joined by the rest of her family in the SACHM virtual museum.
Freda Ellis was also honoured Saturday. Ellis was named the 1963 best actress at the Weyburn Drama Festival and in the early 1960s was famous for her role in the "Raising in the Sun" play. Not only was Ellis an amazing actress, but she was also the first black to earn her Certified Nursing Assistant accreditation.
The other families honoured were the Lane family and Works family. The Lane family moved to the Battlefords in 1928 with five boys and two girls. Curtis served in the Canadian Army, while another was CNA, the other family members were also key contributors to the province's heritage and the fabric of Saskatchewan.
The final family honoured was the Russell Works family and his daughter Joyce was on hand to accept the certificate and plaque from Newkirk. Seven generations of Works have lived and flourished in the area and are still going strong today.
The mission of SACHM is to preserve and celebrate the heritage of African-Canadians in Saskatchewan and the primary purpose is to research, collect, document and share information through the virtual museum at www.sachm.com.
Although Newkirk explained that really the only colour in the world is the colour of the human race, he told had a quote from his son saying that if people weren't looked at as different they wouldn't have as much of a chance to "receive their props," they deserve.
The family members representing those honoured and those their in person were truly proud to be part of the presentation and are hopeful that the contributions of future immigrants continue to be respected and celebrated.
"I was great to be honoured, but that isn't why we do what we do," said Yard following the ceremony. "Hopefully these accomplishments can help those new immigrants realize the potential and contribute to their communities."
