Please join KAIROS Prairies North for a day of water teachings, ceremony, reflection, and action commitments with Elders and knowledge keepers: Elder Marjorie Beaucage, Holly Yuzicapi, Michelle Brass (invited), and settler conservationist Aura Lee MacPherson (invited).
Click here for free registration
We invite you also to see this gathering as a chance to reflect on commitments mutually made in ceremony in Treaty 4. Our gathering is taking place in the wider context of the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the signing of Treaty Four. For more information, see the Treaty 4 Gathering Schedule.
Locations:
Treaty 4 parade: 10:00 AM, downtown Fort Qu’Appelle.
Water gathering: 1:00-5:30 PM, Echo Valley Provincial Park, Treaty 4, the northernmost point of the Park where Echo and Pasqua Lakes meet, just south of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation. The meeting spot is along the southwest edge of Echo Lake, between Sioux Crossing and the Echo Lake boat launch. It is located along the long side of the north-end of the parking lot, where the large angular shelters and picnic tables are. There is a lot of parking, the site is flat, and there are accessible bathrooms. Google Maps link.
Treaty 4 Traditional Powwow: after the water gathering, Treaty 4 Grounds Arbour. Click here for a map to the Arbour.
This gathering is hosted by the KAIROS Prairies North Decolonization Group with gratitude to our community partners. It is funded by the United Church of Canada’s Reconciliation and Justice Fund. As a result, this gathering is free of charge. We do ask you to register, please, so we know numbers and can send any follow up material.
Water Gathering Schedule:
- 1:00-3:00 PM Elder Marjorie Beaucage: Water offerings and teachings on the South Saskatchewan River Water Walk.
- 3:00-3:30 PM Break for visiting, tea & refreshments (provided)
- 3:30-5:30 PM Holly Yuzicapi: Art and reconciliation workshop including hands-on work making mats from locally harvested bulrushes.
- Reflections beginning at 4:30 PM: Aura Lee MacPherson and Michelle Brass (to be confirmed) in conversation; and making our own commitments.
Biographies
We are so fortunate to have been able to invite a number of skilled, generous knowledge keepers and elders to this gathering. For now, click here for biographies, and the organizers will keep updating.
Please Bring:
A chair, bug repellent, sun screen, and a refillable water bottle (Water will be available on site). Attendees are responsible for their own lunch and supper meals, although refreshments will be provided mid-afternoon. Please bring some money if you’d like to buy the books we hope to have available at the event and/or food and items from pow wow vendors.
Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear.
Carpooling: When registering, please indicate if you are able to provide a ride to others, and please indicate if you would like to travel with others. Carpooling will be coordinated by our group member Hélène Tremblay-Boyko at mdmhelene@gmail.com.