Red Pheasant Cree Nation hosted the annual Mother of the Year Round Dance at the Glen Kiskotagan Hall May 7.
This year’s round dance was sponsored by the outgoing Mother of the Year, Carolyn Kiskotagan, and it was her duty to pick the next Mother of the Year, who will represent Red Pheasant at this coming year’s special events. Carolyn, in turn, was picked by the previous year’s outgoing mother, Sandra Tootoosis.
The whole idea for the Mother of the Year originated more than 30 years ago and it was to select a role model type of mother, someone caring and who helps out when needed. She is generally a woman who loves and cares for children and may work with children, and who gets involved in community events.
Carolyn works for the Living Sky School Division, working at the North Battleford Comprehensive High School and at Connaught Community School as a cultural resource teacher, and she teaches the Cree language, culture and organizing holistic cultural activities. She is the daughter of Arlene Ahenakew and Mike Peachew (Kiskotagan) of Red Pheasant. In addition to her work she has taken in foster children for many years and is currently raising one foster child.
“I was very honoured and humbled to have been selected as the previous Mother of the Year, and it is a big relief to get the round dance finished. It is a lot of work and a huge commitment. If it were not for my family and friends I would not have been able to host the round dance. I was very happy about the outcome, the many people that came and danced, sang, visited and helped out.”
It was with great relief that Carolyn finished her term as Mother of the Year. Carolyn, as the outgoing mother, in turn chose her successor. She picked Chuckie Nicotine as this year’s Mother of the Year, a great honour and a great responsibility.
