first nations language keepers conference

Transcription

first nations language keepers conference
Early in SICC’s history, the logo was developed by Elders depicting the green circle which represents
Mother Earth. The images of the sacred pipe and braid of sweetgrass are acknowledged as gifts from
the Creator. Each of the colors of the cardinal directions are represented as follows:
Red - North - Buffalo
Yellow - East - Sun
Blue - South - Thunderbird
White - West - Wind
Artist Credit:
All of the beadwork on the moccasins were done by Eugene Ross (Dakota) Sioux Valley, MB.
Vision Statement
Learning our ways, speaking our languages and living our lives as given by the Creator
Mission Statement
Protect, Preserve and Promote the Cultures and Languages of First Nations as Dené, Saulteaux,
Dakota, Nakota (Assiniboine), Lakota, nīhithaw (Woodlands Cree), nēhinaw (Swampy Cree) and
nēhiyaw (Plains Cree) in the Treaty 2, 4, 6, 8, & 10 Territories.
Philosophy
The SICC has served First Nations people since 1972. It was the initial First Nations controlled
educational institution serving at the provincial level. The Centre strives to maintain the cultural
identity of First Nations culture who inhabit what is now known as Saskatchewan: Dené, Saulteaux,
Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, Woodlands Cree, Swampy Cree and Plains Cree.
Goals
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
To protect and revive First Nations languages in Saskatchewan
To preserve and transfer knowledge on First Nations history, culture and traditions
To promote First Nations cultural and linguistic identity
To improve the sustainability of SICC
To strengthen and enhance the capacity of SICC
To improve and enhance the profile of SICC
To attract and retain skilled and qualified First Nations employees
To create a healthy work environment
To transfer knowledge of our spiritual beliefs
To support the Elders Council in preserving oral history, teachings and spiritual knowledge
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Message from the Board of Governors
The Saskatchewan Indian
Cultural Centre (SICC) has
been in operation since
1972. Over the intervening
years the SICC has been the
primary institute of the First
Nations of Saskatchewan
working for the preservation,
protection and survival of
the Dakota, Dené, Lakota,
Nakota, Saulteaux, Plains
Cree, Swampy Cree and Woodland Cree cultures
in the province. As the first institution established
by the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations
(FSIN), the SICC continues to be the cornerstone
in maintaining First Nations languages, cultures,
heritage and traditions. Many thousands of First
Nations people have been served by the Cultural
Centre over this time.
In the early seventies, the SICC played a leading
role in the establishment of the principles of Indian
Control of Indian Education. The need for Indian
Control of Indian Education is paramount in all
that the SICC does as an institution. Throughout
Canadian history, mainstream institutions have
inappropriately placed the study of First Nations
languages and culture within a historical or
anthropological context. The SICC strives to
ensure that First Nations students have access
to culturally, historically and socially appropriate
learning resources.
All approaches to maintain a language and culture
need to be done with the principles of survival
and retention as a
guide. Only through
daily usage, inter-generational transmission
and legislative protection will any language or
culture survive. The SICC engages in the study,
documentation, and recording of languages and
cultural practices. This is done in an interactive
way with First Nations Keepers who are devoted
to the day-to-day practice of their culture.
SICC delivers a variety of programs and services
to First Nations and the general public in the
following areas:
1. Cultural Resource Management Department
- Oversees the delivery of programming in
support of retaining and growing cultural
aspects of the eight First Nations language
groups in Saskatchewan.
2. Languages Department - Responsible for
research, documentation and development
of language resources to assist language
educators and the offering of services to
preserve First Nations’ languages.
3. SICC Library Department – Hosts a large
collection of print, audio and visual resources
about Indigenous peoples with a focus on the
First Nations’ languages and cultures of the
western region of Canada.
4. SICC Information & Resource Distributions
- Responsible for the dissemination of print,
audio and video educational language and
cultural resource materials to schools, colleges
and communities.
5. Finance and Administration - Ensures the
effective management and administration of
personnel, plant, property and maintenance.
6. Audio Visual Services - Provides full service
audio-visual services to Saskatchewan First
Nations.
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
7. Executive Office - Senior management
of Saskatchewan society which drives the need
of the entire institution with a key role
for additional cultural and language educational
in the governance, board of governors,
resources. Curriculum and education material
communications,
developers have not
public relations and
forecasted this change
êwako
ôma
pîkiskwêwin
kâ-kîstrategic plan for the
and have not kept pace
miyikoyahk
kôhtâwînaw
kikaSICC. The SICC is
with market demands.
âpacihtâyahk
kiyânaw
nêhiyawak
an ISO 9001 certified
Therefore it is essential
kipîkiskwêwininaw
êwako
ôm
ôma
and
compliant
and appropriate that the
kâ-âpacihtâyân
ôta
ê-tâpwêmakahk
Institution.
SICC continue to be the
The
SICC
houses
leader in the development
manitônâhk ê-natotâkawiyahk ôma
Saskatchewan’s largest
of
linguistically
and
kâ-âpacihtâyahk kâ-nêhiyawêyahk.
culturally
based
and most comprehensive
materials.
collection of First Nations
Our language was given to us by The
art and artifacts. There
Father for use to use as Cree people, our
The SICC was founded by
are
two
permanent
language, this which I use here, truth is
First Nations leadership
collections within the
conveyed
to
the
spirit-world
and
we
are
and Elders who sought
SICC. The first is the
listened to when we speak Cree.
to have an institution
SICC Museum Collection
to counter the negative
containing a substantial
Elder Augustine Paskemin (Cree)
effects of the Residential
number of artifacts of
School era. Residential
the First Nations people
Sweetgrass First Nation
Schools had a negative
that have existed in
impact on every single
the region throughout
First Nations individual
history. The second is
in Saskatchewan and
the SICC Contemporary
that impact continues
Art Collection which is a
to grow with each
representative collection
successive generation.
of works by First Nations
The
SICC
counters
artists, many of whom
these negative impacts
were trained through
through
programming
the SICC Indian Art
like Traditional Parenting Skills Workshops and
program.
maintaining a substantial unique collection of
Elders’ testimonials.
The SICC’s programming and services are
popular with schools throughout the province;
The SICC hosts the annual First Nations’
both on and off reserve. The current First Nations
Language Keepers Conference that draws
youth demographic is growing at a rate consistent
speakers, presenters and participants from
with the baby boom of the post war years. This
throughout Canada
ever-changing demographic demands that
and into the United
school curriculum reflects the evolving makeup
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
States. This event is endorsed by the First Nations
Confederacy of Cultural Education Centres
(FNCCEC) as a national event. Participants are
able to learn and share best practices in language
instruction and access materials for instruction
that are otherwise unavailable to them. Since
2005 thousands of Language Keepers, youth and
Elders have attended this event.
The SICC is the first and central cultural institution
of the 74 First Nations of Saskatchewan. While
the SICC will continue to evolve to meet the
changing cultural and linguistic needs of the First
Nations of Saskatchewan, under the guidance of
the Board of Governors the Cultural Centre will
hold to the mission given to the institution in 1972.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation
to the Elders, members of the Board, staff, the
Language Keepers and the many dedicated
individuals who work to support this institution
that is essential to the future of the First Nations
of Saskatchewan.
Respectfully submitted,
ahkamêyimok! mahtêsa anima tânisi takî-itôtamâhk ka-mâmawôhkamâtoyâhk
tânisi ta-kî-isi-pasikônamâhk kâwi
kipîkiskwêwininawa pokw-îtê ôt ôhci
ôma, ta-pasikônamawâyâhkok kitoskâyaminawak ka-ati-isi-kiskêyihtahkik
ôma pîkiskwêwin
Persevere! Let’s see what we can do to
cooperatively rejuvenate languages from all
over, to rejuvenate language for our Youth
so that they many know the language.
Elder William Ratfoot (Cree)
Makwa Sagaiehcan First Nation
Chief Ross Allary, Chairperson
SICC Board of Governors
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
SICC Board of Governors
Vice Chief
Bobby Cameron
FSIN
Margaret Keewatin
FSIN Senate
Chief Ross Allary
South East Treaty #4
Tribal Council
Chief Darin Poorman
Touchwood Agency
Tribal Council
Chief Ben Weenie
Battleford Agency Tribal
Council
Chief
Michael Koochicum
File Hills Qu’Appelle
Tribal Council
Chief Robert Head
Independent
Chief Carol Bernard
Saskatchewan First Nations
Womens Commission
Photo’s unavailable:
Chief David Scott
Saskatoon Tribal Council
Chief
Robert Sylvestre
Meadow Lake
Tribal Council
Chief Leo Omani
Prince Albert Grand Council
Chief Louis Taypotat
Yorkton Tribal Council
Representative TBD
Battlefords Tribal Council
Chief
Dennis Lewis
Agency Chiefs
Tribal Council
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Message from the President
On behalf of the Board of
Governors, management and
staff of the Saskatchewan
Indian
Cultural
Centre
(SICC), I am pleased to
present the departmental
reports and audited financial
statements to our First
Nations’ leadership for fiscal
year 2013 – 2014. The
SICC serves the language
and cultural needs of the 74 First Nations
of Saskatchewan. On behalf of the board,
management and staff of Cultural Centre I want
to extend our sincere appreciation to the First
Nations of Saskatchewan for this great honour.
In 1972, the SICC was established by the Elders
and leadership to uphold the cultural and spiritual
contributions of our ancestors. Our founders were
motivated by the need to counteract the negative
impacts of the residential schools era. As the
departmental reports will detail the SICC has
carried out extensive activities to fulfill its mandate.
The SICC’s hosts an annual national conference
for First Nations language and cultural education.
The 2013 First Nations Language Keepers
Conference attracted over 350 delegates from
across Canada and the United States. The theme
for the 2013 conference was “Kinship.” The 2014
SICC First Nations Language Keepers Conference
will be held on November 26 & 27, 2014 at the
Saskatoon Inn. The conference theme for 2014 is
“Utilizing Technology for Language Preservation.”
Over the past two years the SICC has developed
significant expertise in the creation of compelling
animations for First
Nations
language
learning. Previously the SICC developed two
series of animations based on children’s books
that were released in 2008. These books,
“What I do in the Morning” and “I walk in the
Forest” are written in Dakota, Dené, Lakota,
Saulteaux, Nakota, Plains Cree, Swampy Cree
and Woodland Cree. In the 2013-2014 fiscal year
the SICC released two new series of animations:
“Where I go in the Forest” and “What I see in the
Forest.” In this annual report you find highlights of
this project and you can view these animations on
the SICC website at http://www.sicc.sk.ca/siccanimation-project-for-youth.html.
A great strength of the SICC is our Elders Council
comprised of members from each of the eight
First Nations cultures of Saskatchewan. This
council plays a central role by providing direction
and insight to the Cultural Centre. The SICC
consults with the Elders Council on all major
projects undertaken. Periodically, the council is
available to provide consultation to Saskatchewan
First Nations individuals, organizations and
communities on language and cultural matters.
The SICC holds seasonal Sweat Lodge
ceremonies and feasts four times a year. As well,
staff of the SICC is often called upon to assist
and facilitate at ceremonial activities by other
organizations. The SICC Birds of Prey Program
provides for the distribution of feathers and other
items from birds of prey such as Eagles and
Hawks for ceremonial and spiritual purposes only.
The applications are reviewed and approved by
the SICC Elders Council. The call for applications
to this program is January of each year and the
deadline for applications for the Birds of Prey
Program is April 30. The awarding of the feathers
is done at a spring Feather Issuance ceremony
where the approved recipients of the feathers are
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
provided with direction on the proper protocols for
handling these items.
In the coming fiscal year the SICC will undertake
an extensive updating of the Cultural Centre’s
Strategic Plan and Five-Year Action Plan. This
process will be guided by an experienced facilitator
who will lead the board members, management
and staff through this essential renewal of the
institution. The renewed Strategic Plan and FiveYear Action Plan will ensure the SICC continues
to fulfill its mandate.
The SICC’s auditor conducted the audit of the
Cultural Centre’s Financial Statements for the
fiscal year ending March 31, 2014 in accordance
with generally accepted accounting standards.
Our auditor issued an unqualified audit report and
the Centre’s Board of Governors subsequently
approved these financial statements.
With the guidance of the Board of Governors,
the management continues to provide financial
and administrative services that contribute to
the efficient operations of the Cultural Centre.
This sound guidance is reflected in the SICC’s
accreditation as an ISO 9001 certified organization.
In the coming year, the management and staff of
the SICC will look forward to continuing to provide
and enhance language and cultural programming
to the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
Onowê kîkitowin kâ-kî-mînikowiyan
imâ kâ-âpacitôt kihci-anihšinâpê
kâwîn ci-kanônat kišê-manitôwin, miimâ kâ-kî-âpacitôt ânîn pimâtišiwin
ci-ani-minotâkosi.
Kêkâ kikîwanitômin iniwê anihšinâpêmowin,
nakat tahs imâ kinôhsêyênsinânik,
kâ-mâcî-anohkîwât âša mînawâ cipimâtišimâkan
anihšinâpêmowin
kêwînawâ
kitapinôcîhimak
ciâpacitôwât.
The language is given to us by the Creator,
where our grandfathers utilize it to
communicate to the Creator. This is where
our culture is linked to that language.
We just about lost our language but our
grandchildren are working to revive it so
that we can reawaken our ancestors and
traditions through language.
Elder Howard Walker (Saulteaux)
James Smith First Nation
Sincerely,
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
Dorothy Myo
President
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
SICC Elders Council
In section 29 of the FSIN Convention Act
(amended, June 2008) direction was given by
the Chiefs-in-Assembly of the Federation of
Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) to the
Executive of the FSIN for the establishment of
a Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (SICC)
Elders Council (EC). The SICC EC advises the
FSIN and institutions on spiritual, cultural and
traditional governance matters.
The SICC EC is comprised of one representative
of the eight (8) Saskatchewan First Nations
language groups: Plains Cree, Swampy Cree
and Woodland Cree, Dene, Saulteaux, Dakota,
Lakota, and Nakota, with ceremonial male and
female Elders. The SICC EC meets seasonally
to provide advice and guidance to the FSIN and
the SICC.
On October 22, 2008, the SICC Board of
Governors and representatives of the FSIN
Dolly Neapetung
Saulteaux
Ken Crowe
Dakota
reached a formal agreement to transfer the annual
funding and responsibility for the EC to the SICC.
FSIN representatives agreed to transfer the
responsibility of coordinating the SICC EC along
with the funding to SICC beginning in the 20082009 fiscal year.
Over the past year, three meetings were scheduled
over the year: June 2013, October 2013 and
February 2014. Only the June meeting was held.
By October, the SICC was working with the FSIN
to update Schedule A to continue holding SICC
EC meetings. By February, the FSIN received
news of federal government funding cuts which
suspended future SICC EC meetings indefinitely
until FSIN funding is restored.
In 2012, the SICC EC passed a resolution to
submit the EC Terms of Reference to the Board
of Governors, who in turn, requested that the
Code of Ethics be reintroduced and that all Tribal
Philip Morin
Woodland Cree
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Hartland Goodtrack
Lakota
Councils provide their input. At present, six of the
ten Tribal Councils have reviewed the document
without changes.
The SICC ensures that SICC EC meets the
requirements as set out in their agreement with
the FSIN. The evolution of the EC is in keeping
with First Nations protocol, customs and tradition.
All members of the EC report back to their
respective communities, tribal councils and other
First Nations institutions they are involved with.
The SICC anticipates the work to continue into
future years and that the continuity that is achieved
through having a single coordinating body, with
appropriate expertise, will bring about the most
positive result. Nonetheless, it is the Elders’
expectation that have participated to date that the
momentum created will continue to be supported
and efforts acknowledged by all parties who have
taken an active role in the establishment of this
SICC EC.
Isabelle Impey
Swampy Cree
William Ratfoot
Plains Cree
“Nikî-wîndamag nibâbâ ci-andotawak
ci-anisinabê kâgîgitot, sigwa ci-kagwê
kikêndaman anisinabê otiscigêwin.”
“I was lectured by my father to respect the
Elders, the Indian ceremonies, and everything
to do with the culture.”
Elder Alfred Peigan (Saulteaux)
Pasqua First Nation
Lambert Sylvestre
Dene
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Joe O'Watch
Nakota
(Inducted into the
FSIN Senate June 2013)
Cultural Resource Management
Objectives
The objectives of the Cultural Resource
Management (CRM) Department are:
• To facilitate policy development and other
initiatives to guard against expropriation and
exploitation of Saskatchewan First Nation
languages, traditions, ceremonial practices,
cultural resources, traditional arts and history.
This ensures that research, study and usage
are done in an ethical and culturally appropriate
manner;
• To advocate for the preservation of First
Nations’ Treaty, historic, sacred, traditional
usage and other sites of a special nature
and to facilitate policy development and
other initiatives required for ensuring the
preservation of sites of significance;
• To facilitate the repatriation of human remains,
sacred objects, objects of cultural patrimony,
historic documents and other Saskatchewan
First Nations’ cultural property maintained in
government, non-government and private
collections and to facilitate policy development
and initiatives required to ensure repatriation
and appropriate stewardship of items
repatriated; and,
• To serve as a central repository for objects
pertaining to the languages, traditions,
ceremonial practices cultural resources, arts
and history of Saskatchewan First Nations
and to manage the Centre’s collections.
Birds of Prey Program
The Birds of Prey Program allows for the
distribution of feathers and other items from
birds of prey such as
Eagles and Hawks
for
ceremonial
and spiritual purposes only. This program is
conducted through the Saskatchewan Ministry of
Environment. The call for applications is January
of each year. The deadline for applications is
April 30 of each year to accommodate for spring
and summer ceremonies. On May 29, 2013,
the SICC met and reviewed and made their
recommendations for the Birds of Prey Program.
Of 39 applications, 26 were approved. On May
31, 2013, the Feather Issuance Ceremony was
held at the SICC’s location on English River First
Nation 192J.
SICC Cultural and Ceremonial Activities
The CRM Department assisted in ceremonial
aspects for the following SICC Elders Council:
a ceremonial day that included a Sweat Lodge
and Feast on May 27, 2013 at Yellow Quill, a Pipe
Ceremony on May 28, 2013 near the Elbow area,
a Sweat Lodge on May 30, 2013 at Yellow Quill
and Feast on May 31, 2013 at the English River
Business Complex, a ceremonial day that included
a Sweat Lodge and Feast on July 18, 2013 at
Yellow Quill, a ceremonial day that included a
Sweat Lodge and Feast on August 5, 2013 at
Yellow Quill, a ceremonial day that included a
Sweat Lodge and Feast on October 20, 2013 at
Yellow Quill and a ceremonial day that included a
Sweat Lodge and Feast on November 26, 2013
at Wanuskewin Heritage Park and, a ceremonial
day that included a Sweat Lodge and Feast on
January 18, 2014 at Beardy’s & Okemasis First
Nation.
Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company
(SNTC) mētawēwikamik Summer Drama
Camp for Kids
The SNTC acquires facilitators who assist in
providing a culturally based performing arts
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
experience for youth ages 7 to 15 years. Culture
and language, theatre exercises, games and
activities are the content of the program. Seven
programs will take place in urban, rural and reserve
locations
throughout
Saskatchewan. Each
program concludes with “Tßékwi beyatié
a showcase performed beghqnáyati nrþa
by the youth for the host
nuheskéné béba.”
community.
performances, hand drum singing, flute playing,
birch bark basket making, face painting, crafts,
a hot dog lunch and much more. Participants
relayed positive feedback through teacher and
student conversations
with SICC staff.
hultá ho¿q hél
ho¿q yanatthé
mostos-awāsis,
mistasiniy, Buffalo
Child Stone
In previous years, the
In late June 2013,
SICC have met with
staff of the CRM
officials from the then
and
Languages
known Saskatchewan
d e p a r t m e n t s
Ministry of Tourism,
Elder Rosalie Tsannie (Dené)
coordinated to provide
Parks, Culture and
Hatchet Lake First Nation
basic language and
Sport to discuss the
culture
teachings
process of establishing
for
the
facilitators.
a
commemoration
The facilitators were
of
mostos-awāsis.
provided
cultural
This historic rock was
teachings in regards
blown up December
to the history and
1, 1966, by the federal
phonology of the Plains
government to make
Cree language and
way for the Diefenbaker
in relation to life. The
Dam. The SICC and
history and phonology
Ministry are working
of the Plains Cree syllabics in relation to language
towards an agreement that would set aside Crown
preservation was also shared.
land for this commemoration and ceremonial
site. This land will have special designation as a
sacred site or preferably as First Nations reserve
National Aboriginal Day Celebrations
status.
The Annual SICC National Aboriginal Day
Celebrations were held on June 21, 2013 at the
The SICC Elders Council and staff and Ministry
English River Business Complex in Saskatoon.
of Parks, Culture and Sport met on May 28,
The total attendance was over 500 and consisted
2013 to update, discuss and tour the Elbow area
mainly of K-12 students. It is an occasion for
for possible ceremonial grounds. Due to time
Canadians to celebrate the rich contribution
constraints, half the tour was conducted and after
Aboriginal people have made to Canada. The
re-scheduling a second time, the latter half of the
SICC focuses on showcasing First Nations
tour was held October 16, 2013. Not all members
song, dance, teachings and other activities.
of the SICC Elders
The event was held from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Council were able to
Event highlights included Pow Wow dance
“Women must not be excluded from
any decisions made for the future of our
children.”
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
attend and subsequently an official tour occurred
in spring 2014.
Community
Services
Culture
The CRM provides
culture and language
services
to
First
Nations
people
across the province.
The City of Saskatoon
contacted the SICC to
clarify terms, meaning
and correct spelling
for a sidewalk project
that would include
words of the Plains
Cree language. The
CRM staff provided
these
translations.
CRM assisted One
Arrow First Nation
with
coordinating
traditional parenting
program
in
their
community
in
September 2013.
and
Language
with the Elders in attendance. At the 2013 SICC
Language Keepers Conference, CRM staff
delivered a workshop entitled “Language through
Traditional Arts.”
kanikê ta-pimi-miyayâhk anima oskâyisiyiniw anima kâ-kakwê-âyimôtamâhk
kâ-kî-pê-isi-pimâtisiyâhk
mîna
kâhkapêyi
ê-pê-isi-paminikwêyahkok
ninêkihikonawak pêci-otâhk, êwako
tâpwêwiwin kiskinohamawik.
The SICC Pow
Wow
Initiation
Project
The
CRM
staff
coordinated the SICC
Pow Wow Initiation
Project for the third
year in 2013. The fourweek, 7 class project is
open to the public and
At least to give the Youth our stories, our
provided participants
livelihoods and how our parents raised us in
with
an
overview
the past, teach them that truth.
of Pow Wows in
Saskatchewan. Topics
Rita Nawakayes (Cree)
discussed were: Pow
Wow history, Pow
Red Earth First Nation
Wow
evolutions,
contemporary
Pow
Wows, protocol and
etiquette; drums and
drum making, songs
and song composition,
outfits and regalia,
The Tisdale SIAST
information on all seven
campus had CRM
Pow Wow dance style,
staff in to discuss
and
demonstrations
ceremonial protocol
by these experienced
with students that
Pow Wow dancers.
are enrolled in the justice system as well as lead
Some participants joined to gain understanding
a Feast ceremony for them. CRM visited four
and knowledge, while others join in preparation
schools in Prince Albert to discuss the importance
for the community initiation, to become fullof Pipe ceremonies before Pow Wows and the
fledged Pow Wow circuit dancers through proper
importance of ceremonies to First Nations people
protocol. Participants were initiated at the 2013
and as a result, are invited to attend a Pow
FSIN “Spirit of Our Nations” Cultural Celebration
Wow on June 5, 2014. The Northern Trappers
& Pow Wow.
Association
invited
CRM staff to assist
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Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Revitalizing
Language
Traditional Art Forms
through
The SICC was awarded a grant from the
Saskatchewan Arts Board, a project called
Revitalizing Language through Traditional Art
Forms. The SICC partnered with two traditional
artists (one male and one female) who practice
declining traditional arts or art forms. The
resources travelled to Saskatoon, SK and teach
SICC staff how to create traditional arts and
integrating First Nations languages in the activity.
The workshops were video recorded and made
into DVDs for promotional purposes.
2013 SICC First Nations’ Language
Keepers Conference
2014 Honoured Elder
Lambert Sylvestre
Birch Narrows First Nation
2013 Honoured Elder
Jean Oakes
Nekaneet First Nation
The 2013 SICC First Nations’ Language Keepers
Conference was held November 27-28 at the
Saskatoon Inn Hotel & Conference Centre in
Saskatoon SK. All CRM staff sat on the committee
taking the lead in ceremonial aspects, volunteers,
the Feast and Round Dance, the Book Launch
Gala and Annual Book Writing Contest.
2012 Honoured Elder
Fred Paskemin
Sweetgrass First Nation
2013 First Nations University of Canada
Annual Spring Pow Wow Celebration
The SICC was involved with the 2013 FNUniv
35th Annual Spring Celebration by organizing the
Elders Honouring Ceremony and managing the
traditional food booth.
Since 2010, the SICC has sponsored an annual
Elders Honouring Ceremony that recognizes a
Saskatchewan Elder for all the attributes of an
Elder as well as: being a role model; upholding their
traditional beliefs and ceremonies; contributing
to language and cultural revitalization; their
views on education and Treaty protection; and,
being involvement with initiatives that the SICC
is involved. On May 12 2013, Elder Lambert
Sylvestre was honoured who exemplifies all the
characteristics of previous Elders honoured.
2011 Honoured Elder
(Late) Velma Goodfeather
Standing Buffalo First Nation
2010 Honoured Elder
Harry Blackbird
Makwa Sahgaiehcan
First Nation
13
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Languages Department
Objective
The overall objective of the Saskatchewan Indian
Cultural Centre (SICC) Languages department
is to ensure the preservation, revitalization
and retention of Saskatchewan First Nations
languages and cultures for current and future
generations of First Nations’ peoples and
other Canadians. The Dakota, Dené, Lakota,
Saulteaux, Nakota, Plains Cree, Swampy Cree
and Woodland Cree languages are an intrinsic
part of the heritage of Saskatchewan First Nations.
The SICC Languages department is devoted to
the continuation of all these eight First Nations’
languages.
2013 First Nations Language Keepers
Conference
The 2013 First Nations Language Keepers
Conference was held on November 27 and
28 in Saskatoon. A call for presentations went
out in March. The deadline for the receipt of
presentations was October 11, 2013.
Staff of the SICC has already begun compiling
suggestions that came out of the conference
survey this year and will be busy planning
throughout the year for another successful
conference in 2014.
More than 350 participants, presenters and
special guests registered for the conference
this year. In addition to the various plenary and
workshop sessions, there was a Book Launch the
evening of November 26 and on the evening of
November 27 SICC hosted a traditional Round
Dance at Oskayak High School.
The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
welcomed conference participants, community
members and special guests to an evening of
celebration on November 26 for the annual Book
Launch associated with First Nations Language
Keepers Conference. The winners of the 2012
Book Writing Contest – Buffalo River Dené School
(Grade 6) launched the newly published title, ‘The
Giant Mariah’ which was read to the audience by
Jessie Sylvestre who was the supervising teacher
of the students who submitted last year’s winning
entry.
A feature of the conference was the 2013 First
Nations Language Keepers Conference Book
Writing Contest for Youth. The winners of the
contest were announced at the start of the
luncheon on the second day. They were as
follows:
1st place - Dené book titled ‘What’s Wrong
with Me?’ By Krista George - St. Louis School Patuanak, SK
2nd
place
Plains Cree book titled
‘nâhkatêyitêhtân kitaskînaw’ or ‘Protecting Our
Mother Earth’ by Grade 2/3 Class (Teachers:
Mrs. Joseph-Knutsvik and Pearleen Baptiste),
Chamakese Education Centre Pelican Lake First
Nation, SK
3rd place - Plains Cree book titled “kâ-nitawikiskinohamâsoyân” or “The Time I Went to
School” from the Grades 1 – 6 Students (Teacher:
Beatrice Henry), Chamakese Education Centre Pelican Lake First Nation, SK
14
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Kinship was the theme of this year’s conference.
develop all promotional materials for distribution.
We are all connected in the natural world, we are
In addition to marketing, the SICC will develop
all related. It was important to our ancestors to
and assist in the delivery of a ‘student success
know how each individual was related in their
program’ which will add the cultural context for
immediate families, their extended families and
teaching language. This will be a series of weekly
in the community. They
seminars geared toward
spoke to people through
assisting students in
“Yanatthé nuheskéné þqþú nihoæe growing their vocabulary
relationships,
saying,
‘daughter,
grandchild’
nádé hasí béba nuheyatié chú and learning words in
rather than using given
the context of cultural
nuhecvanié
dánághúlná.”
names. These bonds
activities. Classes began
were sacred and were
on July 2 and continued
“Let us maintain our Dene Language and
treated
with
great
until to mid-August. There
Culture for the future of our children.”
respect.
Presenters
were a total of 27 students
were asked to include
who took the course in this
Elder Mary Jane Sayazie (Dené)
references to ‘Kinship’
initial year. The course is
Cold Lake First Nation
and the ‘Language of
designed so that students
Kinship’ in the delivery
may join the program at
of their sessions.
any time since each year
is designed to be selfFirst Nations
contained. The course
Language
content will run over three
Instructors
years and will result in a
Certificate Program
certificate for successful
The
First
Nations
graduates.
University of Canada
Saskatchewan First Nations Animation
and SICC have entered into a Memorandum of
Project for Youth
Understanding for the delivery of a First Nations
The Language department provided translation
Language Instructors Certificate Program. This
support for the Saskatchewan First Nations
is geared toward language instructors at the
Animation Project for Youth. Through the course
community level to provide them with additional
of the year 35 new language learning resources
academic credentials. Many of the language
were developed.
teachers at the community are fluent speakers
but have not had the formal training in the area
Language Department Presentations
of language instruction. Additionally, they often
The Language Department provides language
lack resources and the understanding of the
presentations in conjunction with the other
methodologies used in language instruction.
departments of the SICC. In the 2013-14 fiscal
year, these presentations were provided at
The program is a six week intensive training in the
National Aboriginal
language of instruction along with the techniques
Day,
Story-Telling
for instruction. The role of SICC according to the
Month and the First
MOU is to lead in the marketing of the course and
15
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Nations Language Keepers Conference. In total
there were over 1,000 elementary and secondary
students in attendance at these presentations.
and referral for translation upon request. In
addition, First Nations language teachers request
minor interpretive services on an ad-hoc basis.
First Nations Languages Translation
and Interpreters
The City of Saskatoon contacted the SICC to
clarify terms, meanings and correct spelling of
Provision of translation and interpretation services
words in the Plains Cree language for a sidewalk
is an essential onproject that would include
going endeavour of the
“Zuyawicaßa lila ohiþaúaöi iß þaúu uñ words of the Plains
SICC. These services
iúþeöi hena wa¡aúe üca. Þúa þohan Cree language. The
include First Nations’
Languages staff continue
wiñyañ
cañþe
úiñ
maía
glaúiñyañ
oral history, worldview
to provide translations
iüpayaöi úiñ hehañ ihañúe kta naíuñ and presentations as
research and archival
hehañ oyañúe úiñ iüpayaöi kta.”
development.
The
requested
from
the
Languages department
field.
Translations
provides interpretation
were
provided
to
“A nation is not conquered until the hearts
the
Saskatchewan
services for a wide
of its women are on the ground. Then it is
Prevention
Institute, the
range of First Nation
finished, no matter how brave its warriors
Honourable
Justices
conferences, workshops
or how strong their weapons.”
of Saskatchewan, the
and events.
Saskatchewan
Lung
SICC (2009). Cultural Teachings: First
Association and the
The SICC provides
Nations
Protocols
and
Methodologies
Truth and Reconciliation
translation services in
Commission to name a
all eight First Nations
few.
on a project basis to
the federal government,
O n a k a w ē k
First Nations, private
Kīci-Anisināpēk
corporations, academic
L a n g u a g e
institutions, the FSIN
C o m m i t t e e
and its institutions. Minor
“Developing
translation requests are
Dialogue on the Onakawēwin Language”
received on a daily basis and are provided on
The Languages Department worked with The
pro-bono basis. These minor translation requests
Onakawēk Kīci-Anisināpēk Committee to develop
come from language teachers, students, private
a handbook entitled, “Let’s Speak Onakawēwin.”
institutions, museums, Office of the Treaty
This manual will have 20 short lessons on how to
Commissioner and FSIN Institutions.
speak Nahkawē phrases and increase vocabulary
amongst beginning learners. An accompanying
In addition, the SICC is continually called upon to
CD was produced by SICC to provide audio
provide patient interpretative language services
recordings of material from the manual.
for hospitals and courts, translation services for the
federal government,
reference
resource
16
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Library & Information Services
Overview
The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre’s
(SICC) Library department primary objective is
to meet the educational and reference needs of
First Nations in Saskatchewan through Library
services. The Library provides library services,
reference and material loans to Saskatchewan
First Nations and the general public. As well, the
library is the central repository for the oral history
collections for Centre. In addition, the Library
provides teaching and curriculum resources for
Saskatchewan First Nations’ language.
The Library began operations in the fall of 1973.
It houses a comprehensive collection on the
Indigenous peoples of the Americas. The Library
serves as a central source of information for the
First Nations of Canada. It also provides nonFirst Nations people with key information that
promotes cross-cultural understanding, and
fosters awareness about the uniqueness of First
Nations.
The Library lends assistance and support to
First Nations’ schools. The Library staff respond
to requests for information on library procedure
and software training via telephone, fax, email,
and personal visits. Traditional services such as
circulation, cataloguing, processing, book repair
and shelving constitute the bulk of the activity in
the library.
Library Collection/Special Collections
All materials in the Library’s collections must have
Indigenous content. As a result, the Library is
widely used by students, teachers and academics,
especially those specializing in the field of
Indigenous Studies. The Library has completed
the cataloguing of the Teacher’s Language
Curriculum collection. The Teacher’s Language
Curriculum collection is now part of the online
catalogue and borrowers are able to view the
collection online. As new materials are developed
in the different First Nations’ languages, these will
be added to this collection.
Library Services for Saskatchewan
Aboriginal Peoples (LSSAP) Committee
The SICC Library is a member of the Library
Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples
Committee (LLSAP). This committee was created
for information sharing on issues relating to library
services for Aboriginal peoples in Saskatchewan.
LLSAP meets on a quarterly basis. The SICC
Library is also a member of the Aboriginal Advisory
Committee of the Saskatoon Public Library.
Storytelling Month
The SICC Library coordinates with Library
Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples
(LSSAP) Committee to host Storytelling Month
activities held in Saskatchewan each February.
Elementary and secondary students, teachers,
parents and others attended the Storytelling
Month activities. This is an annual celebration
of First Nations’ literature, traditional storytelling,
cultural teachings and other traditional activities.
In 2014, these events were held at the White
Buffalo Youth Lodge gymnasium on February 4 &
18, at the Frances Morrison Library on February
11 & 25 and the First Nations University of Canada
on February 21.
The presentations featured were:
• Elders Stories
• Nakoda Oyade - In the Beginning
• First Nations Perspective on Treaty Making
through Storytelling
• nēhiyaw acimowinisa
• Cree Storytelling
• The First Butterflies & Other Stories
• Indian Sign Language & Teepee Teachings
• Nēnapohš
Legends
17
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Audio/Visual Technical Department
The primary mandate of the Audio/Visual (AV)
- Technical department is the recording of the
cultural, community, governance and artistic
endeavours of the First Nations of Saskatchewan.
The AV department of Saskatchewan Indian
Cultural Centre (SICC) has had another busy
year in providing audio, visual and technical
sound services to the seventy-four First Nations
of Saskatchewan.
During the year the department provided audio/
visual services for the Federation of Saskatchewan
Indian Nations (FSIN) Legislative Assemblies and
the annual “Spirit of our Nations” FSIN Cultural
Celebration and Pow Wow. Additionally, the
department has assisted at Treaty celebrations
province-wide and when requested contributed
services to First Nations across Saskatchewan
for a wide range of other events.
The department continues to strive to enhance
its technological basis to order to provide up-todate services. This will allow the Centre to meet
the challenges presented by the demands of this
increasingly technological era. During the past
year the AV department:
• Provided audio and recording for Battlefords
Agency Tribal Chiefs and Stoney Knoll First
Nation Landless Conference held at Whitecap
Dakota Nation on April 18, 2013.
• Provided audio for First Nations University
of
Canada
Students
Association
Round Dance April 19, 2013 held at
the Oskāyak High School, Saskatoon.
• Provided video recording for Yorkton Tribal
Council at the Office of Treaty Commissioner
“A History of Treaties” Workshop held in
Yorkton at the Painted Hand Casino on Friday,
May 3, 2013.
• Provided audio for Mount Royal Collegiate
Pow Wow and Festival of Nations on May 28,
2013.
• Recorded the Wild Horse drum group live at
Mount Royal Pow Wow on May 28, 2013.
• Recorded the Eagle Rock drum group at
Glennross Studios May 30, 2013.
• Provided audio recording for FSIN Spring
Assembly June 5-6, 2013, Whitecap Dakota
Nation.
• Provided audio for the SICC’s National
Aboriginal Day event on June 21, 2013.
• Released the Wildhorse drum group “World
Champion Singers” CD on July 19, 2013.
• Released Eagle Rock drum group “Honouring
the Past and Present Songmakers” CD on
August 6, 2013.
• Provided audio and recording for Saskatchewan
First Nations Economic Development Network
at Whitecap Dakota Nation, Dakota Dunes
Event Center September 18, 2013.
• Provided video recording for Willow Basket
Making Workshop by Eugene Ross, Dakota
craftsman on October 8-10, 2013 at the Paved
Arts Studio in Saskatoon.
• Recorded the Poundmaker drum group round
dance songs compilation at the Poundmaker
First Nation band hall, on October 18, 2013,
and completed recording the drum group
November 29, 2013 at Glennross Studios in
Saskatoon.
• Provided audio and recording for the
18
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Education and Post-Secondary Forum held
Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Annual
at First Nations University of Canada on
General Meeting at Saskatoon Inn on October
February 19-21, 2013.
22, 2013.
• Provided audio and recording for the Northern
Provided audio and recording for FSIN Fall
Saskatchewan Trappers
Assembly at Dakota
Association Convention
Dunes
Casino,
“Nuhni Denes¶øiné dahídli sí, 2013, held at the Senator
Whitecap
Dakota
Nation on October
nuhení hçlü beþá näníde, ¿eyi Allen Bird Memorial
Center on March 14, 15,
23-24, 2013.
hoþá
yanatthé
hobaz®
nuheskéné
2013.
Provided audio and
béba þadánéthen dayailti.”
• Provided
video
recording
audio
for Treaty 6 and
and
recording
for
The
Dene߶øiné
people
have
their
own
Metis flag raising
the
Assembly
of
minds to express what is best for the future First Nations Treaty
ceremony at City
Hall, Saskatoon on
Gathering 2013, held at
of our children.
October 25, 2013.
the Dakota Dunes on
Elder
Abel
Denecheze
(Dené)
Provided
video
March 26, 27, 2013
Hatchet
Lake
First
Nation
recording for Quill
Work Workshop on
The
department
October 29-31, 2013
continues
with
the
at the Paved Arts
conversion of audio
Studio in Saskatoon.
tapes and video tapes
Provided
audio
into digital formats to
and visual services
ensure the preservation
for the SICC First
of
these
valuable
Nations Language
resources. Some of
Keepers Conference
these digital recording
November
26could potentially be
28, 2013 at the
made available over the
Saskatoon Inn.
Internet. These video and audio recordings were
Videotaped Elder Gladys Wapass-Greyeyes
recorded since SICC opened in 1972 and some
for Office of the Treaty Commissioner on
are in a fragile state, any of these recordings
January 14-16, 2013.
of First Nations’ individuals and events are
Provided audio and video recording for FSIN
historically important. The last of the reel-to-reel
Hearing held at Wanuskewin Heritage Park on
tapes of Elders testimonial and First Nations
January 17-18, 2013.
events is expected to be complete in 2014-2015.
Provided audio and recording for the FSIN
These approximately 200 recordings are among
Winter Assembly held at Dakota Dunes
the oldest in the SICC’s collection and date
Casino on February 13-14, 2013.
from the 1960’s and
Provided audio and recording for the FSIN
1970’s.
18
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre - Annual Report 2013/2014
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
Financial Statements
March 31, 2014
20
SASKATCHEWAN INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE
presents
FIRST NATIONS
LANGUAGE K E E PE R S
CO N F ER ENCE
UTILIZING TECHNOLOGY
FOR LANGUAGE
PRESERVATION
REGISTRATION:
Early Registration: $275
(postmarked by Oct. 15, 2014)
Registration: $350
(after Oct. 15, 2014)
Elders: $60
Students: $60
(with valid student id)
Tradeshow: $350
SICC . SK.CA
N O VEMBE R 26 & 27, 20 14
SASK ATO O N INN, SASKATOON, SK
Keynote Speakers:
Wab
Kinew
Dr. Neal
McLeod
Plus
Many Other
Presentations
tānisi • Anīn Šikwa • Hau Kona • Hau Kola • Hau Koda • Edlqnét’e
Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre
305-2555 Grasswood Road East
English River Business Complex
English River First Nation #192J
Saskatoon, SK S7T 0K1
Phone: (306) 244-1146
Fax: (306) 665-6520
E-mail: info@sicc.sk.ca
Website: www.sicc.sk.ca
/SaskatchewanIndianCulturalCentre
@S_I_C_C
/siccmultimedia