The Nipawin Heritage Society will be lending its support to have a two hectare parcel of land, which borders Codette Lake, declared a provincial heritage property.
Members of the society learned of the historical significance of Nipowiwin, which translates to “standing place” (and was also known as nipowiwinihk which translates “at the standing place”) at the annual general meeting of the society, held in the boardroom of Nipawin Living Forestry Museum, March 27.
Doug Phillips, a founding member of the society, and its past-president, noted that Nipowiwin was one of several Cree rendezvous sites in east-central Saskatchewan, where for hundreds of years, the various bands would gather to hold religious ceremonies, find partners, visit extended family members, and exchange items and ideas. The property is presently partly cropped and partly in its natural state.
According to Bill Waiser, a Saskatchewan historian and author, in his award-winning book A World We Have Lost: Saskatchewan Before 1905, “the excavated debris suggests these rendezvous sites were used for centuries, if not thousands of years. Fur trade posts were later deliberately established at these gathering places.”
Nipowiwin is located 2.5 km northwest of Codette, and 4.5 km south of the Town of Nipawin. Archaeologically, it is known as the Mollberg site and is situated along the valley top of the Saskatchewan River. Here there is a series of ancient, now stabilized sand dunes that stretch along the valley edge for over a kilometre. These dunes are the centre of a large archaeological site.
In the coming months, the Nipawin Heritage Society will be supporting the on-going efforts of co-nominators, archaeologist David Meyer of Saskatoon and Doug Chisholm of Woodland Aerial Photos of Melfort, to have the designation realized. The submission was made by the Saskatchewan Archeological Society to the provincial Heritage Branch. Unfortunately, the submission approval has stalled.
Other events planned for 2017, were highlighted by society president Doug McGirr, which include participation in Canada 150 celebrations – Canada’s sesquicentennial, the Nipawin Fair parade and downtown booth, and continuing sales efforts to promote the society’s second book of poetry and pictures, which was released last year. The society will also implement efforts to increase its membership.
The society’s popular Pioneer Tales program continues to be a popular event during noon hours where stories are shared and recorded at the Nipawin Seniors’ Centre. These brown bag lunches are held in conjunction with the Nipawin Seniors Centre. The Peifer family of Nipawin is scheduled to tell their story at the next Pioneer Tales event on Tuesday, April 18. The Peifer family are five-generation farmers in the Nipawin area having arrived here in 1911.
The membership also recognized the passing of founding member Doug Harrison with a moment of silence.
The treasurer’s report, prepared by Bev Bailey, showed the society ended the year 2016 with a surplus of $1,737.
The nominating committee of Joyce Christiansen and Gladys Sheridan presented a slate of 13 members who let their names stand as directors for 2017. They include: Mike Botterill, Joyce Christiansen, Faye Griffin, Garth Griffin, Doug McGirr, Brian McLane, Doug Pegg, Doug Phillips, Shirley Phillips, Linda Lawrence-Warnock, Gladys Sheridan, Dorothy Wark and Tony Werrett. These directors will elect a four-member executive at their regular third Tuesday meeting in April.
As customary at the society’s AGMs, a variety of antique items or those of an historical nature, were viewed, appreciated and discussed by the membership.
