OXBOW - It was a busy day at the Oxbow Prairie Horizons School (OPHS) on Sept. 26, as they are working on building relationships.
The school and community held We are in this Together for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.
Events began at the school with Dexter Mondor, president of Métis Nation Saskatchewan Local 182, starting the day with prayer.
Traditional smudging followed and the raising of the Métis Nation Saskatchewan Teepee.
Stations were set up throughout the school by Mondor, and students could move to each station, which gave them insight on the teepee, how to tan a hide and traditional hand games.
The Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers performed for the students in the afternoon and held a workshop for students to learn how to do Métis jigging.
These dancers are named after their founder and renowned Métis artist Ivan Flett. This dynamic and spirited group is dedicated to celebrating Métis culture through the art of dance.
Based in Winnipeg, this talented group has captivated audiences across Canada and beyond with their energetic performances.
They specialize in traditional Métis jigging, which combines dance elements of Indigenous, Scottish and French-Canadian cultures.
The performances are a visual and auditory feast, featuring detailed footwork, lively fiddle music and bright, colourful customs that pay tribute to their culture heritage.
In the evening, the school was opened to the community where the Ivan Flett dancers performed once again, asking the students to join them on stage and show what they learned during the day.
Emillee Steffensen, the owner and founder of Moonemis Cree-ations, was on hand selling her Indigenous artwork, shirts and apparel. Steffensen is a former student from OPHS who is from White Bear First Nations and now resides in Carlyle.
Saskatchewan Country Music Association award winner Teagan Littlechief from White Bear spoke to the crowd of roughly 160 people about residential schools.
Littlechief admits she is getting better at speaking to crowds but still gets nervous.
Both her parents are residential school survivors and she spoke on how this affected them, and how this has played a key part in her life as well.
“These kids were ripped from their parents, abused emotionally, mentally and physically,” said Littlechief. “It is a tough pill to swallow.”
She was in her teens when she truly learned the horrors of what happened. Her father has since died.
Although today's generations are not to blame, Littlechief said we need to learn about this and ensure it never happens again.
Every day we need to continue to close the gap and the understanding is getting much better, as we are in this together. (Note for Steph: is this a quote?)
Littlechief ended the evening on a high note with her powerful singing voice. Morgan Turk joined in on his guitar.
She sang a couple of her singles including Wild Girl and Bobby McGee. Littlechief has been singing for 20 years and she said it was difficult getting into the music world being Indigenous, but she pushed through and today is well known across Saskatchewan.
She has sung at many functions, including the national anthem at Saskatchewan Roughrider games and the 2022 Grey Cup in Regina, and has sang at Regina Pats' games. Recently Littlechief judged at Regina's got Talent.
Building relationships is key to a brighter future and this is her hope for everyone.
