Three Grade 5 students from Bready School were off to Saskatoon April 19 and 20 to compete in the Saskatoon Regional Youth Historical Heritage Fair.
The students, Sushan Smith, Sierah Lehman and Austin Higgs, received top prizes in the first annual Bready School Heritage Fair for a wide variety of different subjects.
Receiving the third prize was Austin, whose display focused on his great-grandfather Eiling Kramer. Kramer represented North Battleford as an MLA for 28 years, starting when the NDP was still the CCF. Elected in every election he contested, he has already gone down in history as one of the longest-serving Saskatchewan politicians. During this time he served as the minister of the Department of Highways and minister of Co-operation and Co-operatives. He also served as a policeman and started Kramer Auctions in the Battlefords. Higgs proudly pointed out that his great-grandfather had met the Queen on one of her visits to Canada.
Sierah was awarded the second place prize for her display "From Fur to Farm." Sierah told the story of a University of Saskatchewan Archaeological Department exploration that found holes the bottom of the river by her family property. The expedition determined that the holes were used to dry pelts, indicating the family farm was part of the fur trading expedition along the North Saskatchewan River. The process of the investigation taught her more about Saskatchewan's history and how her family is connected to it.
Receiving the top honours at Bready was Sushan, for her display "My Journey to Canada." Sushan told the story of her life in China and subsequent immigration to Canada. The project taught her more about her country of birth; for example, she learned her house in China was build in 1710 and was not even one of the older buildings. The project taught her about how many people work and wait to come to Canada to have a better life, despite the long waits associated with the immigration process.
Each of the top-three participants went to Saskatoon to present at the 16th Annual Saskatoon Regional Youth Historical Heritage Fair April 19 and 20. Over 1,000 visitors came to see the 122 displays from 17 schools displayed at the fair. Subjects ranged from the Delta Bessborough, It's in you to Give, the War of 1812 to Maple Goodness. A total of 12 displays were chosen to attend the Provincial Heritage Fair in Moose Jaw.
For more information about the Heritage Fair, contact Daryl Lesyshyn at [email protected]
