NORTH BATTLEFORD — The summer is well underway in North Battleford, and in August, the Western Development Museum will be front and centre when it hosts the History of Motion event on Aug 20.
After being affected by COVID-19 for the past two years, the cultural event returns.
For Branch Manager Joyce Smith, the goal of the event is to make inclusivity accessible to a greater percentage of the population.
The vision of the organization as a whole is to have a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs and histories matter, as people’s lives can be enriched through interconnecting, diverse histories.
The Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services are one of the main partnerships working alongside the Western Development Musueum. Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services and BATC Star Children came together alongside WDM to present a traditional powwow on museum grounds on National Indigenous People’s Day.
So far this summer, the Kanaweyimik Child and Family Services have constructed four tipis in the village, providing “Tipi Treachings.”
This instruction will continue during the History in Motion Event. Included will be demonstrations of traditional games, which the public are encouraged to participate in.
Smith believes that sharing activities with the general public shares knowledge about different cultures and promotes understanding.
For those who recall, the WDM previously put on the event Those Were the Days, which revolved around the 1920s farm life of a settler.
While familiar activities such as farm demos, the Parade of Power, ice creaming making and blacksmithing will continue to be showcased, the organization is looking to expand its children’s activities area and involve more community groups.
As it currently stands the WDM is the largest human history in Saskatchewan, housing nearly 80,000 artifacts.
The group’s doors are open and welcome to those who want to volunteer for the day. Currently, the museum is looking for new recruits interested in museum and Saskatchewan history.
For more information or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact 1-306-445-8033 or email nbattleford@wdm.ca for more details.
