The fourth annual Working Together Career Fair held at the St. Mary's Cultural Centre on May 17 delivered a deliberate and healthy dose of First Nations culture.
Information booths providing the opportunity to explore career and education options, combined with dancing, song and prayer, created a unique and vibrant energy missing from typical job fairs.
Wilfred Whitehawk, Jr., employment and training counsellor with Yorkton Tribal Council, one of the event's sponsors, says infusing the career fair with culture is important because it gives the students something to relate to.
"As long as we keep the culture included, kids are interacting more with the booths," he said. "We want to plant the seed early with these kids so they can see the services and education they can access."
Booth interaction was scheduled throughout the day and saw participants eagerly gather information from colleges, universities and potential future employers.
Children from Little Black Bear and Okanese First Nations, led by former principal Jackie Bellegarde, performed their rendition of O Canada, in Cree.
After their school closed due to lack of funding, Bellegarde continued teaching Cree to local children out of her home.
"It's important to maintain our culture and language through young people, to keep it strong," she says.
Other performances included a powerful drum circle by Red Dog, high-energy hip-hop/ b-boy by Red Power Squad lead by the event's emcee, Conway Kootenay and stand-up comedy by Clarence Two Toes.
Darrel Wolf, dancing in traditional costume and the keynote address by Leanne Bellegarde were also features of the day.
"Cultural activities are a big part of our school. We smudge and pray each morning," said Brandi Hotomani of Dreambuilders, who played a role in organizing the event."
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