听 听 听Christmas came early for White Bear First Nations and the surrounding community, as the White Bear Education Complex played host to two Christmas parties for children and young people, while the Four Nations Care Home was the setting for WBFN's annual Elders' Dinner.
听听听 The festivities all included a visits from Santa Claus and began on Friday, Dec. 19 at the White Bear Education Complex with a celebration for the school's staff and students. The school also hosted a party on Monday, Dec. 22 for children from the wider White Bear community. On Sunday, Dec. 21, members of all generations from White Bear and the surrounding community gathered together at the Four Nations Care Home to honour their elders with a traditional Christmas dinner and celebration.
听听听听 鈥淭he events at the school mark the beginning of holidays for the staff and students,鈥� says WBEC school counsellor, Sarah McArthur. 鈥淎ll of these events bring the entire White Bear First Nations community together.鈥�
听听听听听 One of the Elders' Dinner organizers, Angela McArthur agrees, and says all of the Christmas events 鈥渁re built on community spirit.鈥�
听听听听 Speaking at the Elders' Dinner, Angela said, 鈥淭hese traditions would not be possible without the support of our entire community. Our Chief, Brian Standingready, and the White Bear First Nations council have the drive to get these things done. The Bear Claw Casino and the Bear Claw Community Development Corporation contribute funding and volunteers.鈥�
听听听听听 This year's dinner organizers included: Angela McArthur, Stacey Lonethunder, Brenda Standingready, Celina Shepherd, Jolie Lonechild, and Elaine and Serena Maxay.
听听听听 鈥淓laine and Selina (Maxay) made all of the desserts,鈥� says McArthur. 鈥淎nd the Bear Claw Casino is a huge support. Volunteers from the casino also come out to help.鈥�
听听听听 This year's casino contingent included George Butson, who is 鈥渁 super-volunteer,鈥� says McArthur. 鈥淗e comes out every year and works so hard.鈥�
听听听听 Karla Flett, who attended the dinner with her children and grandchildren says that a gathering where younger generations pay tribute to their elders is a positive thing. 鈥淚t's good to have the elders come out,鈥� she says. 鈥淚'm here with my grandchildren and it's really special.鈥�
听听听听 Twelve-year-old Harvey Littlechief says, 鈥淥ur school party was awesome. The Elders' Dinner is cool, too.鈥澨�
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听听听听 鈥淲e have so many extra elves that come and help over the holidays,鈥� adds McArthur. 鈥淲ith our hamper program, people from throughout our entire community-along with people that are just home for the holidays-all pitch in and help. None of this would be possible without friends and family all coming together.鈥�
