“We are making history today,” President of the Saskatchewan Region and organizer Pauline Favel spoke into the mic Friday at the Don Ross Centre.
The event marked the first ever First Nations provincial spelling bee and drew approximately 140 students from 20 different Saskatchewan First Nations schools.
“It’s really exciting to be here and watch people arrive, knowing that they are coming from all across the province to participate,” Mayor of North Battleford Ian Hamilton said before the event kicked off.
Herb Cox also had a special message to send to the participants.
“Enjoy this experience. This is something you’ll remember for a long, long time.”
Throughout the day, the bright minds of Chief Poundmaker School were on full display. Students ran through words such as “international” and “revise.” The toughest word of the morning, however, must have been “draughts,” which many in the crowd learned for the first time is an English version of the game “Checkers.”
The provincial spelling bee had three categories of competition. Primary, for ages six to eight, junior, for nine to 11 year olds and intermediate, for ages 12 to 14.
The students who finished first in each category will travel to Toronto for the Spelling Bee of Canada national event.
In the primary division, it was William Kaysaywaysemat II punching his ticket to Toronto after spelling the words “brew” and “resolve,” narrowly edging out Isaiah McMana-Ross in the finals.
“I’m the mathematician,” William’s father said following the championship round, “his mother and him practiced for hours, she’s good with English.”
Makayla Cannepotato was able to win the junior division with the words “monetary” and “economics.” The grade five student is from Chief Taylor School. Brittney Bagler and Cheyenne Gunn were the first and second runners-up, respectively.
Alexander Johanson sauntered around the stage in confidence before winning the intermediate division title. He was able to spell the words “millipede” and “calibrate” to book himself a trip to Toronto. Cieara Meesto and Taneja Wolfe came in second and third place.
The winners will be flying over to the big city May 15.
