Canora Courier 2022-10-06

Canora Composite School presentation details residential school ‘cultural genocide’

It’s one thing to observe Truth and Reconciliation Day. It’s something quite different to actually learn what happened to residential school students.

Canora Composite School students completed an array of projects including artwork, individual projects, posters, song writing, and novel studies in the week leading up to Truth and Reconciliation Day (Sept. 30).

“I learned we had to acknowledge what has happened in the past in order to come to peace with each other,” said Meekah Unick, Grade 9.

CCS Staff members made bulletin boards, read Truth and Reconciliation books to their classes, and introduced lessons on reconciliation.

All students from Grade 5-12 attended a presentation on Truth and Reconciliation, led by Jennifer Bisschop, CCS library technician. Following is her presentation:

Residential schools

In Canada, the Indian Residential school system was a network of boarding schools for Indigenous peoples. Residential schools were established by the Canadian Government and administered by the Roman Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Presbyterian, and United churches. The schools operated in Canada from 1831 to 1996.

During this time over 150,000 children attended the schools. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their family homes and sent to live in these boarding schools, completely alienated from their families. The purpose of residential schools was

to educate and convert Indigenous youth and to assimilate them into Canadian society.

Residential schools were underfunded and overcrowded; they were rife with starvation, neglect, and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, often including isolation from normal human contact and nurturing. Students were forcibly removed from their communities, homes and parents, and frequently forbidden to speak their Indigenous language and perform traditional music and dance.Residential schools caused immeasurable damage, disrupting lives, disturbing healthy communities and causing long-term problems.

For more than 100 years, the Canadian government supported residential school programs that isolated Indigenous children from their families and communities. Under the guise of educating and preparing Indigenous children for their participation in Canadian society, the federal government and other administrators of the residential school system committed what has since been described as an act of cultural genocide. As generations of students left these institutions, they returned to their home communities without the knowledge, skills or tools to cope in either world. The impacts of their institutionalization in residential school continue

to be felt by subsequent generations. This is called intergenerational trauma.

Unmarked graves

It is estimated that over 6,000 Indigenous children may have died at residential schools. Many of the children died from disease such as: tuberculosis, malnourishment, abuse, neglect, accident, suicide, drowning, or trying to run away.

Many of the children who died in residential schools were far from home. The long distances meant that families weren’t always notified when their children died. The official policy on burials was : “Ordinarily the body will be returned to the reserve for burial only when

transportation, embalming costs and all other expenses are borne by next of kin.” Most indigenous families couldn’t afford these costs.

When children couldn’t be returned to their parents, responsibility for their burial fell to the schools, which didn’t always have the money to make proper funeral arrangements. Those that were given funerals were often placed in plots with no markers. These are the graves that are just being found now at former residential school sites.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission was officially established on June 1, 2008, with the purpose of documenting the

history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian Residential School system on Indigenous students and their families. The Commission took six years and interviewed over 6,500 survivors of residential schools.

In 2013 the TRC made 94 calls to action. The calls to action are recommendations and improvements for such things as child welfare, education, reconciliation, youth programs, equity in legal system, museums and archives, etc. As of today only 17 calls have been completed.

Reconciliation

Webster’s defines Reconciliation, “as to restore friendship or Continued on Page

Grade 8 students, from left: Heidi Parmley, Kaelyn Shukin and Natalie Kosar created a poster featuring quotes on truth and reconciliation, and included black handprints to emphasize that every child matters.

Invermay School News Report

Hi! My name is Cassandra Ponte and I’ll

be one of the news reporters this school year. I’m 15 years old and I’m currently in Grade 9. I enjoy playing sports such as volleyball, badminton, and baseball. I also enjoy reading, writing, and listening to music. I applied to be a school news reporter to improve my writing skills and I think this is the perfect opportunity for me to do so. I’m quite passionate about writing and I enjoy doing it.

Area residents show support for community groups

Sept. 20 was Co-op Fuel Good Day, where local motorists could help out community charities. With every fill at Gateway Co-op in Canora, Buchanan and Preeceville, 10 cents per litre was donated. Gateway totalled up the money raised, and reports that just over $3,800 will be shared between Assiniboine River Archery Club and Preeceville Minor Ball.

Hello, my name is Angelo Ferenal. I’m 13 years old and I’m in Grade 8. The reason I applied for this job is because I am striving to strengthen my literature skills and to learn and improve from this experience. I enjoy writing stories, learning new things, and most of the time I prefer to write a report or essay rather than do a poster or PowerPoint.

I’m the oldest in my grade. I’m also an only child born in the Philippines. Things that I take interest in are sports, clothes, music, and movies. I have decided to join the new reporter club this school year to improve my writing skills and to have more choices for what I want to do in the future. I enjoy writing. I’m determined to work hard.

skills.

grades 5 and 6 ELA, and social studies; Diana Enge, Grade 6 to 8 homeroom, and grades 3 and 4 math; Chen Teh, grades 9-12 math, grades 5 and 6 math, and Kent Seerey, PAA, social studies, K-12 physical education, career ed. and outdoor ed. Graeme Wilgosh is an intern from the University of Saskatchewan.

Hey, I am Cassidy Bosovich. I go to Invermay School and I am in Grade 8. I am 13 years old. I think writing for the newspaper is a really cool idea for people to get the chance to improve their writing skills. I personally chose to write for the newspaper because it gives me the opportunity to try and improve my writing skills and I would like to improve my vocabulary.

Amanda Carlson is the administrative assistant, and Tim Chodak handles caretaker duties.

Karen Dubas, Charmaine Wallin and Lori Fogg are educational assistants. Tara Bosovich is the librarian.

Hello, I’m Samantha Landanganon and this year I will be one of the school news reporters in Invermay.

Hi, I’m Madeline Glas, one of the news reporters this year. I am 13 years old and I am in Grade 8 at Invermay School. I enjoy music and singing. I also enjoy playing sports such as badminton, volleyball, and basketball. I chose to be a school news reporter so I could get some experience at a real job. I enjoy writing so I thought it would be a good fit for me. It can develop my writing

The Staff at Invermay School are working hard for our return. Here are the 2022/2023 staff:

Melissa Grona is the principal and teaches: ELA, environmental science, history, and Canadian Studies; Brenda Carbno/Chelsea Campbell, Kindergarten, student support, Math, ELA, PAA; Dalice Nelson, Kindergarten to Grade 2 homeroom; Ashten Walker Grade 3 to 5 homeroom,

This year, the SRC (Student Representative Council) club has chosen to do a Mom’s Pantry fundraiser. The goals are: $2,500 for a school-wide dance party with staff surprise, $5,000 for a schoolwide movie afternoon, and $8,000 for a school-wide fun day.

As additional motivation, an SRC challenge has been laid down. If all SRC members sell $100 worth of Mom’s Pantry products, Diana Enge and Amanda Carlson will mud wrestle each other.

Mom’s Pantry orders are due by Oct. 12.

Cassandra Ponte

Angelo Ferenal

Cassidy Bosovich

Madeline Glas

Samantha Landanganon

Canora/Sturgis RCMP activity report

By Sgt. Derek Friesen Canora RCMP Detachment

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP responded to 49 calls from Sept. 22 to 29, which included: one 911 Act call, one false alarm, two assaults, one false pretence, seven thefts, 15 traffic offences, two traffic collisions, one harassing phone call, seven other provincial calls, five mischiefs, two Coroners Act calls, one fraud, and one disturbing the peace.

Shoplifter charged

On Sept. 22, the Canora/ Sturgis RCMP investigated a shoplifting complaint in Canora. A male suspect was identified and charged with theft.

Sleepy driver

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched on Sept. 23 to a semi rollover on Highway 5 by Mikado. The driver of the semi fell asleep and drove into the ditch. The driver was charged under the Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Act for driving without due care and attention.

Assault

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP were dispatched to a report of an assault in progress at a residence in Canora on Sept. 24.

Police attended and arrested a male for assault causing bodily harm and uttering threats. The male was remanded into custody and will appear in

Yorkton Provincial Court. Ding dong ditchers strike again

On Sept. 24, the Canora/ Sturgis RCMP received a mischief complaint involving youth ringing door bells in Canora late at night. The ding dong ditch game has become a regular event in Canora and police continue to investigate to identify the ding dong ditchers.

Broken window

The Red Apple Department Store in Canora had a window broken on Sept. 25 after it was shot at with a pellet gun. If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Canora RCMP or

you can also report anonymously via Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

Court order breach

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP received a complaint of a male breaching his court-ordered conditions in Preeceville on Sept. 26. Police continue to investigate.

Bad behaviour

On Sept. 29, the Canora/ Sturgis RCMP were called and told that an intoxicated female was flipping the complainant the middle finger outside a business in Canora. Police made patrols but were unable to locate the female.

Loose lug nuts

The Canora/Sturgis RCMP

received a report on Sept. 29 of lug nuts being loosened on a vehicle in Canora. The incident is under investigation.

Report tips and information

If you have any information about these or any other crimes, please contact the Canora RCMP at 306-563-4700, or you can also report anonymously via Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Call the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment Turn In Poachers & Polluters (TIPP) Line, toll-free, at 1-800-6677561 or #5555 from a Sasktel cellphone (phone calls only, no text messages).

Saskatchewan warns feds to stop trespassing on farmers’ land or be charged

By Lisa Joy SaskToday

SASKATCHEWAN –Premier Scott Moe and several MLAs warned the federal government to immediately stop trespassing on farmers’ land or face significant consequences.

Moe signed the strongly worded letter written by Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill demanding to know why federal employees of Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault are “trespassing” on private land in Saskatchewan.

“We have advised the federal government that this should cease immediately and if it does not, it will be considered a

violation of the province’s Trespass Act,” states the Aug. 21 letter to the federal government. “Violating this Act is serious, including a maximum penalty of $25,000 for repeat offenders, up to six months imprisonment following a conviction for a first or subsequent trespass offence, and a $200,000 maximum penalty for any corporation that counsels and/or aids in the commission of that offence.”

Farmers from three communities in southern Saskatchewan have already told the province that they have caught Government of Canada employees in marked

vehicles trespassing on their land. They reported to the Saskatchewan Government that when they approached the federal employees the agents admitted they were testing the nitrogen levels in dugouts.

“We are demanding an explanation from federal Minister [Steven] Guilbeault on why his department is trespassing on private land without the owners’ permission to take water samples from dugouts,” said Moe on his official Facebook page.

Anyone wishing to report an incident of trespassing on private land can call 1-855-559-5502 The

Saskatchewan Government issued a media release saying it, along with the Alberta Government, were expressing “profound disappointment in the federal government’s fertilizer emissions reduction target.”

Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture David Marit said the province was concerned with the federal government’s goal to reduce fertilizer emissions and called it arbitrary.

“The Trudeau government has apparently moved on from its attack on the oil and gas industry and set its sights on Saskatchewan farmers,” said Marit.

Fertilizer emissions

Largest quarterly population increase every recorded in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan grew by 6,465 people in the second quarter of 2022 - the largest population jump in any threemonth period since Statistics Canada started releasing quarterly population counts in 1971.

“Saskatchewan’s economy

is firing on all cylinders and creating thousands of new jobs,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in a release. “That’s attracting more people than ever to our province.”

“Saskatchewan has plenty

of opportunities, welcoming communities and a more affordable cost of living than most other places in Canada,” Harrison said. “A strong economy and a growing population means a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan people.

“That’s growth that works for everyone.”

There were 1,194,803 people living in Saskatchewan as of July 1, 2022, according to Statistics Canada and more than 15,000 job postings on SaskJobs.ca as of September 28.

reduction wasn’t even a topic on the agenda of the annual meeting of FederalProvincial-Territorial ministers of agriculture in July, said the Saskatchewan Government media release.

“Provinces pushed the federal government to discuss this important topic, but were disappointed to

learn that the target is already set. The commitment to future consultations are only to determine how to meet the target that Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Bibeau have already unilaterally imposed on this industry, not to consult on what is achievable or attainable.”

WINTER LANDFILL HOURS

GARDEN REFUSE PICK

WATER MAIN FLUSHING

LEAVES,

BIG

Lucien Carlson received a Terry Fox T-shirt as a reward for being the individual to raise the most money ($185) for the Canora Children’s Centre Terry Fox Run. Making the presentation was Raylene Sedley, the Centre’s manager.

The three doctors who had committed to setting up practises in Canora, successfully completed Phase 1 of the Saskatchewan International Physicians Pracitse Assessment (SIPPA) and moved on to the Clinical Field Assessment stage. The three doctors were: Anthony Davies , Augustine Egbagbe and Manjeet Kaur Hart Singh

Three candidates were vying to be elected to the GSSD board of education for Subdivision 3, which includes Canora, Buchanan, Rama and Invermay. Incumbent Carla Pelchaty was opposed by Christine Eiteneier and Shannon Leson

During a regular meeting, Canora town council gave its approval in principal towards construction of a helicopter landing pad at the Canora Hospital property, explained Mayor Terry Dennis

Megan Homeniuk of Canora received her $1,000 Parkland College entrance scholarship from Shelley Dobrowksi at a ceremony in Yorkton. A total of $39,500 in scholarships were awarded to Homeniuk and 32 other students.

The artificial ice plant was turned on at the Canora Civic Centre, and barring any problems, ice was expected to be ready by mid-October, said Kristen Gabora, director of leisure services.

Niche crops and livestock worth consideration (again)

It is interesting how certain random occurrences create thoughts of a much larger scale.

For example, I was recently reading Gardener’s Notebook by Debbie Hayward, and she made reference to borage.

While Hayward was referring to borage in terms of a garden, my mind jumped back several years to when there was talk in the farm sector in Saskatchewan that it could become an important niche crop since the plant is also commercially cultivated for borage seed oil extracted from its seeds.

Borage seed oil has one of the highest amounts of γ -linolenic acid (GLA) of seed oil, and in herbal medicine has a long list of applications.

The crop never quite achieved the level of production one might have expected from the ‘hype’ at the time, although to be fair there was a long list of crops that were thought

to become important crops as the sector looked to diversify.

Of course, the general concept of crop diversification faded as prices for familiar cereal and oilseed crops jumped. Why take risks with a new crop if the value of wheat and canola penciled out as profitable more years than not?

And, in the case of canola, there was a level of diversification within the crop with identity preserved varieties offering farmers some added premiums for production.

In the process, interest in crops such as borage, lupins, caraway, coriander, fenugreek, hemp, seabuckthorn and many others

simply disappeared for most.

Niche crops, of course, are also a greater risk with limited markets, and almost none locally.

And, because the markets are limited it takes only moderate swings upwards in production to see prices decline.

That does not mean the crops are no longer grown, but broad interest has certainly quieted.

It’s not a crop-only phenomenon either.

With the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown on the not-so-distant horizon in Yorkton, it is easy to recall llamas were once a highlight of the event with large shows taking centre stage.

The llama was going to be an important farm animal. It was a short-lived story though, as was the case with red wattle hogs, ostrich, Vietnamese potbellied pigs, emus, meat rabbits, fallow deer and again the list goes on.

Of course, on the livestock side even normal hogs were supposed to explode with access to cheap feed, a waiting workforce, and land that would benefit from the manure as a fertilizer. It happened for a time, but as job numbers climbed, creating staffing issues and cereal prices jumped, tightening potential margins, even the prospects for the pig sector dimmed.

Today, the idea of diversifying too far from the well known and understood is far less considered, but one suggests that one day oilseed and cereal prices may well slump, and suddenly borage or coriander or even emus might look good again.

Orchids can add that extra something special to a garden

What would you say is the most exotic flower? For me, it has always been the orchid. I can still remember on a family trip to Hawaii many years ago, I was astounded how orchids were used in such abundance: for flower arrangements in restaurant lobbies, huge hanging arrangements of lush cattleya orchids in the Royal Hawaiian, and even to garnish our luncheon plates on the plane. Could anything be more amazing? And before we were married, when Keith brought Mom and me orchid corsages to wear to a cousin’s wedding that seemed like the ultimate luxury!

My fascination with orchids continues. We have one orchid plant, given to us last year by some dear friends. I always assumed that orchids were very delicate, very difficult to grow, and had very specific light and water requirements. But after hearing from gardeners in the know how easy they are to grow, we decided to be optimistic and hopeful. And guess what? Success. After the blooms that were on the plant when we received it faded, a new stem appeared giving us five beautiful lime-green orchids. They lasted a long time, and have since faded, and now another new stem is appearing. So exciting!

There are thousands of varieties of orchids, but my favourite has always been the moth orchid, the phalaenopsis. To me, that one branch of blossoms that swoops so delicately above the dark green leaves is so serenely

DEBBIE HAYWARD

The Garden Grapevine

beautiful, like Canada geese about to take flight.

Orchids include more than 25,000 species, and did you know that there are orchids on every continent except Antarctica? Orchids in the home like to live under the same conditions that they would in nature, so these are the things to watch for: water, air movement, temperature, and sunlight.

Most of the orchids we have in our homes are epiphytic, that is, they are used to living on trees or other vegetation, surrounded by moss and bark, not anchored in soil. Their roots that stick out of the pot gather moisture from the air. So it is important to provide a loose potting medium of bark or moss, moderate humidity, indirect light, and air movement. And in our northern climes, orchids shouldn’t be too close to a chilly window in the winter.

Some orchids also grow in soil: these are called terrestrial, and a good example is the lady slipper. The beautiful cymbidium, which comes in a dazzling array of colours, is also a terrestrial. On one of our gardening programs on TV, they showed how cymbidiums grew— to the locals, they were almost like weeds. And what a treasure they are to us here!

Plus there are oncidiums, dendrobiums, botanicals… the list goes on and on! We’ve heard that once you get the orchid bug, you continue to want to try new varieties, each more exotic than the last. So far, I am still too much in awe of them to have reached this stage, so for now we are just hoping that the orchid we have survives.

The orchid plant is definitely one that gives us stately beauty for a long time, so if you see one that you like in a store sometime, treat yourself and add it to your plant collection. You won’t be disappointed!

In gardening, things are the same until they aren’t. Usually by this time, we should be cleaning our gardens, pulling out our annuals; but as I write this to you, we still haven’t had a really hard frost, and most of the blooming annuals are still bravely blooming, and still attracting bees and other pollinators. So we leave them where they are, even if it means a later clean-up time for us. Gives us more time to enjoy the garden!

Enjoy your garden today and have a lovely week.

ABC’s of dementia presentation held in Sturgis

Public members were invited to join the congregation at the Roman Catholic Church in Sturgis as they learned about dementia and how to better understand those who may have it.

Jackie Hofstrand, Dementia Community Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan gave a brief informal presentation to those in attendance on Sept. 8.

This presentation was offered as part of the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan project.

Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan is a multi-year, federally funded project intended to increase social inclusion of people living with dementia in Yorkton, Melville, and the surrounding rural communities. For more information on the project, please visit: https://www. ruraldementiask.ca.

“Sixty per cent of people who live with dementia live in their homes in their communities and want to continue doing so as fully and for as long as possible. Dementia can cause changes in abilities, behaviour

and communication that affect an individual’s daily life. These changes – known as the ABC’s of Dementia – include, but are not limited to: memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, and problems with language,” said Hofstrand.

Learning about the ABC’s of Dementia can empower individuals to seek support if they experience signs of these changes, making it possible to connect to earlier diagnosis, resources, and information to learn more and live well. Becoming familiar with the warning signs of dementia can also help community members build understanding about what others living with dementia may experience. Knowledge about these warning signs can help you contribute to greater awareness and understanding for the neighbours, friends, and families in our communities. Knowledge changes everything. She also covered the stigma surrounding dementia, how it happens, how to help reduce the risk factors, the warning signs, and how to

better understand and deal with someone who may have it.

As part of the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan project, the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan connects with local communities in and around Yorkton with a focus on building awareness about dementia, reducing stigma, and inviting the involvement of organizations and businesses in dementia-friendly community initiatives that can improve accessibility and inclusion for people living with dementia.

The Alzheimer Society aims to be an active and supporting partner in the project, helping to build the capacity of the other participating local organizations and assisting in making their individual projects and initiatives successful. In pursuit of these goals, they are creating a new staff position located in the region, while also developing new resources that will empower individuals and organizations to learn more and better engage people with dementia and their care partners.

The Alzheimer Society is pleased to be part of the Dementia Supports in Rural Saskatchewan project. They believe the overall project will increase the social inclusion of people affected by dementia in Yorkton and the surrounding communities and envision this

impact lasting long after the project itself concludes.

The Alzheimer’s Society’s aspiration is to take the experience gained from this exciting and innovative SPHERU-led project and apply these learnings to help other communities throughout Saskatchewan become more supportive,

inclusive, and accessible for people living with dementia and their care partners.

The Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan empowers people to live well with dementia while funding research into prevention, causes and cures.

Bivalent COVID-19 vaccine available to 18-plus

Starting Sept. 29, all Saskatchewan residents 18 years and older who are eligible for a COVID-19 booster dose may receive the Moderna bivalent vaccine through Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) booked and walk-in clinics or participating pharmacies.

It is recommended that eligible residents receive the Moderna bivalent booster dose at least four

months following their last COVID-19 vaccination, regardless of the number of COVID-19 doses received to date, stated a release.

The Moderna bivalent vaccine has been approved by Health Canada as a booster dose only; if you require either your first or second dose at this time, you can receive all other Health Canada-approved vaccines as your primary

series.

If you have had COVID-19, you can receive any booster dose once you have recovered; however, you may choose to wait up to three months post-infection for a booster dose to receive the best immune response.

When booking your booster appointments online for an SHA clinic, you are not required to specify

which COVID-19 vaccine you wish to receive.

The option of the bivalent vaccine will be provided to eligible individuals in the clinic at the time of vaccination.

The Moderna bivalent vaccine protects against the original strain of COVID-19 as well as provides enhanced protection against the currently circulating Omicron variants.

Clinical trials have shown that the Moderna bivalent vaccine triggers a strong immune response against the original 2020 COVID-19 strain and Omicron variants. Safety monitoring showed that any side effects experienced were similar to those of the Moderna booster and were typically mild and self-resolving.

Protect yourself

All Saskatchewan residents six months and older are now eligible for vaccinations. Being up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations protects against severe illness and hospitalization at any age.

If using 1-833 Sask-Vax line, you can book several vaccinations in a single appointment, for everyone in the household six months and older.

Canora Composite School presentation details residential school ‘cultural genocide’

Continued from Front Page harmony.”

Bisschop asked the students, “What does reconciliation mean to you?”

Here are some of the words the students came up with to describe reconciliation: “Respect, heal, education, friendship, listening, peace, kind, TRC, Canada, experiences, honour, fair, impact, future, improvement, relationships, apologize, acknowledgement, recommendations, knowing, harmony, culture, actions, participate, impact, knowing, history, share, change, learn, understand, aware.”

If you would like to write a

Truth and Reconciliation Day

The federal government recently passed legislation to make Sept. 30 a federal statutory holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“The day honours the children who never returned home and survivors of residential schools, as well as their families and communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

Orange Shirt day Orange Shirt day is also Sept. 30 and was started

the

Mail your letter to:

feel

by Phyllis Webstad in recognition of the harm the residential school system did to children’s sense of self-esteem and well-being, and as an affirmation of a commitment to ensure that everyone around us matters. Orange shirt day is an opportunity for First Nations people and nonFirst Nations people to come together in the spirit of reconciliation and hope for generations of children to come.

Orange Shirt Day was created out of Phyllis’ story. In 1973, when Phyllis (Jack) Webstad was six years old, she was sent to the Mission School near

Williams Lake, B.C. Her first memory of her first day at the Mission School was that of having her own clothes taken away – including a brand-new orange shirt given to her by her grandmother. In 2013, Phyllis attended the St. Joseph Mission (SJM) Residential School (18911981) Commemoration Project and Reunion events that took place in Williams Lake. At this event, Phyllis shared her story with those in attendance – and Orange Shirt Day was born.

Discussion

Bisschop followed her presentation with a class discussion of the meaning

Editor’s Note

What

of reconciliation to the students, and how “we as individuals” can work towards

reconciliation.

“The students at CCS

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Public members were invited to join the congregation at the Roman Catholic Church in Sturgis as they learned about dementia and how to better understand someone who may have it. Jackie Hofstrand, Dementia Community Coordinator for the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan gave a brief informal presentation to those in attendance on Sept. 8. Organizers and presenter from left, were: Barb Biccum, Jackie Hofstrand (presenter), Lillian Smith and Sylvia Lozinsky.

CCS presentation details residential school ‘cultural genocide’

Continued from Page 5 were respectful, engaged and had great discussion questions,” said Bisschop. “Reconciliation means regaining friendships and moving forward,” said Latifah Severight, Grade 12.

The Grade 9 classes partook in a GSSD poster completion on “What does reconciliation mean to you?”

Grade 9 student Mataya

Ball chose to do a water colour on her interpretation of reconciliation.

Grade 8 students Kaelyn Shukin, Heidi Parmley and Natalie Kosar entered their poster featuring quotes on truth and reconciliation, and included black handprints to signify every child matters.

Grade 6 students Mya Dutchak and Tobbi Effa coloured “Every

Child Matters” pictures. Effa’s was in English and Dutchak’s was in Dene.

Mykelti Johnstone, Maggie Lemaigre, Chance Weinbender, Mrs. Bisschop, Kenzee Kopelchuk and Aubree Wilson highlighted some of the detailed picture books available for Truth and Reconciliation.

“I believe reconciliation begins with education and was glad to be able to talk about Truth and Reconciliation with the students and show them some of the great books we have on that subject in our library,” concluded Bisschop.

Grade 9 student Meehak Unick said she learned that studying the history of residential schools is important for making peace.

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After taking in the presentation on Truth and Reconciliation, Latifah Severight, a Grade 12 student at CCS, spoke of the importance of working to cultivate friendships and looking ahead.

Grade 6 students Tobbi Effa (left) and Mya Dutchak coloured pictures with the theme “Every Child Matters.” Effa’s pictures were in English and Dutchak’s work was in Dene.

Canora volleyball team earns victory against Norquay

The Canora Cougars junior boys volleyball team hosted Norquay on Sept. 27 in a spirited four-set match.

The Cougars won three out of four sets, thanks in large part to strong serving, according to Coach Megan Fey.

Canora took the first two sets by scores of 25-18 and 25-13. But Norquay roared out to a 5-1 start in the third set and continued to widen the lead, winning by a score of 25-15.

In the fourth set, Norquay came out determined to even the match, and the teams battled to a

23-23 tie. But the Cougars showed their finishing ability, and earned a 25-23 win.

Helping Fey with coaching duties is Peyton Secundiak, a first-year teacher at CCS. The pair is used to working together, after being volleyball teammates in high school.

Fey is enjoying her first year coaching the CCS junior boys volleyball program, aided by several years of previous experience coaching other teams.

“It’s great to get to know them all and watching them improve,” said Fey.

“I enjoy coaching because

I’m able to give back to the sport I’ve enjoyed for years as I myself played from Grade 6 to Grade 12, and one year of college volleyball. I also played on club teams since Grade 8. Another great thing about coaching is that it gets kids active and involved in team work.”

The CCS junior boys team consists of 14 members, who are “very hard workers and quick learners.”

Fey said the team has had a strong season so far, but there is always room for improvement.

“For the rest of the

season we are going to be nailing down rotations and focus on building up their teamwork.”

The upcoming schedule includes a game in Sturgis on Oct. 12, followed by the Sturgis tournament on Oct. 14 and 15. The next home game is on Oct. 20 with Preeceville providing the opposition. The conference tournament will be held in Kamsack, and districts are set for Preeceville/Sturgis on Oct. 29.

“We’re looking forward to the rest of the season with the boys, and watching them continue to improve,” concluded Fey.

Henry Craig went high to hammer down this spike for the CCS junior boys volleyball team in a match versus the visitors from Norquay on Sept. 27, supported by teammates Ira Mykytyshyn (left) and Pierre-Juan Rollin.

Jordan Makowsky’s strong serves led to numerous points for the Cougars against Norquay.

Returning this serve against Norquay was Ira Mykytyshyn, with teammates Jordan Makowsky (left) and Tucker Mydonick ready to provide help.

A cure worth fighting for October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Potential warning signs for breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women across the globe. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, there more than 2.26 million new cases of breast cancer in women in 2020. Such figures are sobering, but it's important to recognize that breast cancer survival rates have improved dramatically in recent decades, providing hope to the millions of women who may be diagnosed with the disease in the years to come.

Five Breast Cancer Myths

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month in Canada. Although more people are surviving a breast cancer diagnosis than ever before, it’s still the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among Canadian women. Therefore, it’s important to know the facts. Here are five breast cancer myths.

Myth: Only people with a family history of breast cancer are at risk.

Fact: Only about five to 10 per cent of breast cancers are considered hereditary.

Myth: Breast cancer only affects women.

Fact: Although rare, men can get breast cancer too. In 2022, researchers estimate that 270 Canadian men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and that 55 will die from the disease.

Myth: Antiperspirants and deodorants cause breast cancer.

Fact: There’s no conclusive evidence linking the use of antiperspirants or deodorants and the development of breast cancer.

Myth: Breast cancer always causes a lump you can feel.

Fact: Although regular breast self-exams can help detect lumps, breast cancer doesn’t always manifest itself this way. Other symptoms include pain, swelling, redness and thickening of the skin.

Myth: All breast cancers are treated the same way. Breast cancer treatment plans vary widely depending on the characteristics of the tumour, the stage of cancer and the patient’s preferences.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, donate to help create a world where no Canadian fears breast cancer

Various factors have helped to improve breast cancer survival rates, and education about the disease is certainly among them. Women are their own greatest allies against breast cancer, and learning to spot its signs and symptoms is a great first step in the fight against this potentially deadly, yet treatable disease.

Knowing your body

The American Cancer Society urges women to take note of how their breasts normally look and feel. That knowledge is vital because it helps women recognize when something does not look or feel good to the touch with their breasts. Screening alone may not be sufficient, as the ACS notes that mammograms do not find every breast cancer.

Signs and symptoms

When women are well acquainted with how their breasts look and feel, they're in better position to recognize any abnormalities, which may or may not be indicative of breast cancer. The ACS reports that the following are some potential warning signs of breast cancer.

A new lump or mass: The ACS indicates that this is the most common symptom of breast cancer. A lump or mass that is cancerous is often painless, but hard and has irregular edges. However, lumps caused by breast cancer also can be soft, round and tender. Some even cause pain.

Swelling: Some women experience swelling of all or part of a breast even if they don't detect a lump.

Dimpling: The skin on the breast may dimple. When this occurs, the skin on the breast sometimes mimics the look of an orange peel. Pain: Pain on the breast or nipple could indicate breast cancer. Retraction: Some women with breast cancer experience retraction, which occurs when the nipple turns inward.

Skin abnormalities: Breast cancer may cause the skin on the breast to redden, dry out, flake, or thicken.

Swollen lymph nodes: Some women with breast cancer experience swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm or near the collarbone.

The presence of any of these symptoms merits a trip to the doctor. Women with these symptoms should not immediately assume they have breast cancer, as the ACS notes that various symptoms of breast cancer also are indicative of non-cancerous conditions that affect the breasts. Only a physician can diagnose breast cancer, which underscores the importance of reporting symptoms to a doctor immediately.

Canora resident participates in memorable Parkland College visit to Belize

By Gwen Machnee Parkland College

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second of two parts of a story on the trip made by Gwen Machnee of Canora and her colleagues at Parkland College to work with the Unversity of Belize and local farmers in Belize to help farmers improve their productivity and command higher prices for their production. Part one ran in the September 22 issue.)

Oxmul Farm

On Tuesday afternoon

Dr Aldana and I went with a driver in the UB truck to visit the Mayan community of San Antonio Village to discuss the plans for the workshop with potential participants. San Antonio is in the densely forested hill country, with small farms in clearings in the forest. The first stop was at Oxmul Farm (pronounced Ox-shmul), which is owned by James and his extended family, a total of 10 families (25 people) living on 25 acres. Their land was made up of 10 acres of forest, which gives them firewood, fruit and cultural identity. Ten acres of corn, beans and peanuts are for their own use and for sale, and five acres of fruit trees are also for their own use and for sale. They had chickens and sheep that grazed in the forest and under the fruit trees, and cleaned up the fields after harvest.

A recent addition to the farm is coffee. Until

recently it was thought that coffee would not grow well in Belize. James and his family now produce small amounts of coffee for sale locally. James took us through the whole coffeegrowing process from the shaded nursery beds for small seedlings to sixmonth-old, two-year-old and mature plants with ripe coffee cherries.

While we were talking, James’s nephew, Pablo, started preparations to roast coffee beans, a process that happens every second day. The whole process was manual, from chopping the firewood to turning the barrel during the roasting period of 90 minutes and later grinding the coffee. James talked about the importance of the land to his Mayan community, of the sustainability of farming, how his family had farmed this same land for hundreds of years and the importance of preserving the land to pass on to generations yet to come. I was able to try my hand at first hulling the coffee beans to remove the outer coat after they had been dried and then grinding coffee on a stone that had been used by James’ family for an unknown period of years for grinding corn, beans, chocolate and now coffee. During the conversation a thunderstorm rolled over the area. We watched it pass over from under the shelter of the traditional thatched roof while the coffee continued to roast. Meanwhile,

in Central Farm the storm caused the power (and air conditioning) to go out for the rest of the Canadian group and their workshop participants for an hour, leading to a very uncomfortable time.

The remainder of my week was spent at UB Central Farm working on the short courses. The rest of the Parkland team moved on to Belmopan, the capital of Belize, for more workshops and later onto Hopkins for workshops in the following week.

I had arranged to stay for four extra days at the conclusion of the work assignment. During this time, I took advantage of the opportunity to see some of the surrounding countryside.

This included the Mayan ruins at Cahal Pech, right in the town of San Ignacio, on a ridge above the town. The walk from the hotel, located on the river to Cahal Pach took about an hour and included some of the steepest roads that I have ever seen. According to my phone, it was a 12,000-step walk that consumed over 1,000 calories in the mid30s heat and high humidity.

The ruins are some of the oldest Mayan ruins known and include two temples, three courtyards and a ball court. The name means place of the ticks, a name given to the site in the 1950s when it was a cattle pasture. The site had very few other visitors and it was incredible to walk around and see buildings

still standing after many hundreds of years. It was still possible to climb the steps of the temples.

Achtun Tunichil Muknal Cave

On another day I took a tour to the Achtun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave. This tour started early in the morning with a 30-minute ride to the trail head. At the trail head, all members of the group were given hard hats with lights. Each group is limited to eight participants and must have one of the 23 guides licensed to take people into the cave. There was a 40-minute walk to reach the cave mouth. The trail was through forest that had many birds and some monkeys in the canopy.

The trail crossed a river in three different spots, at the first crossing the river was chest deep. There was a rope to hold onto as you crossed the 20-metre-wide expanse while the other crossings were only knee deep. When the group reached the cave entrance, each person had to swim into the cave through the river to a landing spot inside the cave. From there the guide gave the group safety information and instructions on how to use the lamps on their helmets.

The tour into the cave took about an hour-and -a-half to reach the Mayan ceremonial area, a distance of 500 metres through large caverns, narrow passageways and past amazing stalactites, stalagmites

and flowstone formations.

In places, the very clear river water was ankle deep and in others it was waist deep, there were only two spots that required a tight squeeze to pass. It involved a lot of clambering over boulders and watching where to place your feet.

The farthest part of the tour was at the Mayan ceremonial site, which was found at a climb of around 12 feet above the river into a large cavern. At this point, all the participants had to remove their shoes and leave them behind to prevent damage to the very old archaeological site. The cavern and passageways beyond contained lots of human and animal remains and many ancient pots. The pots had been deliberately broken in antiquity.

It is not known if the human remains were burials or offerings to the gods. One of the most spectacular sights was a complete human skeleton known as the Crystal Maiden. The nature of the limestone caves meant that periodic flooding had deposited minerals on all of the artifacts in the cave. The Crystal Maiden was covered in small crystals that glistened in the light of the headlamps. It is not known if the skeleton is male or female due to the level of crystallization on the bones.

The return journey out of the cave was faster than the trip into the cave, altogether the tour group was

underground for about twoand-a-half hours. The final swim to get out of the cave and back into the sunlight was memorable.

When the group returned to the base where the vehicles had left us we were treated to traditional rice and beans and chicken for lunch with guava, papaya, pineapple and very good banana bread before the trip back to San Ignacio.

Tikal in Guatemala

Another day trip was to Tikal in Guatemala. The trip was an early start in a minivan to the Guatemala/ Belize border city of Benque Viejo Del Carmen.

The tour guide from Belize left us at the border and a Guatemalan guide, Reggie, picked us up at the other side of the border. We boarded the new (much older) minibus and began the two-hour drive to Tikal.

Along the way we stopped at a roadside restaurant for breakfast, which we had preordered after crossing the border. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, ham, refried beans and fruit with freshly squeezed pineapple juice and coffee. The hens that laid the eggs ran in and out of the roadside dining room. Guatemala was noticeable less wealthy than Belize, the houses were poorer, there were fewer stores and the roads were not as well maintained.

Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the largest known pre-Columbian

Continued on Page 12

TENDER SNOW REMOVAL

Gateway Co-operative Ltd. is tendering the removal of snow and sanding of parking lots located in Canora at the Food Store, C-Store and Cardlock.

Tenders for either snow removal or sanding can be submitted separately. Details to be picked up from the Administration Department.

Please list equipment that will be used for snow removal, rate per hour and estimated time to clear 3 inches of snow from each property.

Snow is to be removed from around the C-Store and pumps by 6:00 am and the Food Store by 9:00 am. Contractors must comply with all applicable Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Tender closes Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022 at 4:00 pm

Tenders can be dropped off at 707 Norway Road or mailed to:

GATEWAY CO-OP LTD.

ATTN: Brad Chambers Box 959

Canora, SK S0A 0L0 emailed to: gateway.gm@sasktel.net

Gateway Co-op reserves the right to refuse any or all tenders. Lowest bid not necessarily accepted.

Time slips by, And life goes on;

from our hearts, You’re never gone.

think about you always,

talk about you too;

have so many memories,

we wish we still had you.

“Love

Always”

Aimee, Shelby, Mom, Darrell, Tamara and families.

TENDERS

Tax Title Property For Sale

The Town of Canora offers for sale the following tax title properties in Canora, Saskatchewan:

Barschel Avenue

Lot 5, Block 69, Plan 62Y07023

Canora Avenue

Lots 7-8, 18 Block 2, Plan Y3857

134 Fourth Avenue West (vacant lot only, demolition order pending)

Lots 19-20, Block 10, Plan S1372

207 Poplar Avenue (vacant lot only, demolition order pending)

Lots 4-5, Block 179, Plan Z5500

126 Charters Avenue (vacant lot only, demolition order pending)

Lots 9, 17-18, Block 1, Plan Y3857

Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted

Bids must be received on the appropriate “offer to purchase form” available at the town office or www.canora.com and accompanied by a deposit of 10 per cent of the offer. Sale of the property is subject to conditions. For more information, contact the town office. Please submit sealed tenders marked “Tax Title Property Tender” by 5 p.m. October 13, 2022 to:

Town of Canora Box 717

Canora, Sask. S0A 0L0

KREPAKEVICH - Eugene (Gene) Myron Krepakevich, 85, of Yorkton passed away on Friday, September 9th at Regina General Hospital with his loving family by his side. Gene was born on April 27, 1937 in Hamton, Sk. to the late Fred and Martha (Zederayko) Krepakevich. He attended school in Hamton, SK until later completing high school in Yorkton. At age 18 he attended Moose Jaw Teachers College. He then taught school at Jarislov, York Lake and Saltcoats followed by Yorkdale Junior High where he taught until retirement in 1987. During his teaching years he completed his Bachelor of Education (1969) - University of Saskatchewan and his Bachelor of Arts (1978) - University of Regina. He also actively farmed in the Mikado areas for many years. Following retiring from teaching, Gene spent a number of years working for Co-op Hail as an adjuster and supervisor. Throughout his life, Gene was an active volunteer and was always involved in activities including with his church, local minor and junior hockey, the Yorkton (Legacy) Coop for 42 years, the Yorkton Flour Mill project and many other charities and causes. He was always a leader in whatever he joined, many times going beyond being a Committee Member and frequently being chosen to be the President, Chairperson, and Governor. Gene loved his sports and being involved with the Yorkton Terriers and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Honours for his hard work included being the Yorkton Sportsman on the Year (1990), induction in the Yorkton Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder (2003), Junior Hockey Award from Hockey Canada (2005), the SJHL Hall of Fame (2011) and the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal (2019). He was an avid sports fan who cheered on the Terriers, Riders, Blue Jays and of course his favourite, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gene loved spending time with his family and especially enjoyed lake life and travel. As for hobbies, Gene loved golfing, fishing, curling, bowling, playing cards, pottery, stain glass, gardening, yard work, carpentry, and generally being a jack of all trades. He was always ready to lend a hand to help family and friends with their projects. For Gene, the act of his teaching/guiding was truly practiced throughout his life time, up to the last hour of his life. Most recently Gene and his wife Gladys set up the Krepakevich Fund for families with the Yorkton and District Community Foundation to provide annual grants to a local charity for projects that support families in need. Gene is predeceased by his parents, his wife Marie, his son Bradley, his son Bruce, his daughter Kellene, his brothers Carl, Sunny and Dan. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Gladys, his children: Carlene (Glenn), Barry (Crystal), grandchildren: Paige (Michael), Reid (Cassidy), Kody, Shaelynn, Brea, Megan, Brittany (Fernando), Jeremy (Leah); great grandsons: Daniel and Cristino. He also leaves his brother Jerry (Daphne), extended family Sandra (Charles), Marvin (May), seven extended grandchildren, five extended great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. The funeral service was held on Friday, September 16, 2022 from Westview United Church in Yorkton with Rev. Deborah Smith officiating. Tributes were given by family members Barry, Carlene & Glenn, and by Bruce Thurston & David Baron. Jackie Washenfelder, accompanied by Amil Minken, sang ‘You Raise Me Up’. A poem was read by Crystal Krepakevich, scripture was read by Paige Yager & Reid Dutchak. Pianist, Shani Apland led in the service hymns. The interment followed in the Garden of Memories, Yorkton Memorial Gardens. Memorials to the Community Foundation - Krepakevich Fund for Families, or to the Brick Mill Heritage Society would be appreciated by the family. Condolences can be left at baileysfuneralhome.com

OBITUARIES

OBITUARIES

ROCK, Adrien- With great sadness, the family of the late Adrien Rock announce his passing on September 29, 2022, at the age of 59 years. Adrien was born on July 2, 1963, to Ted and Olga (nee Dutchak) Rock in Canora, SK. He attended and received his education in Canora, SK. After graduation, he went on to Winnipeg, MB, where he took a surveyor’s course. He also attended SIAST College in Moose Jaw, SK, for business admin. Adrien opened Canora Photo and Flower Shoppe with his parents until 1993. Later that same year, he began dating Chelsea and they were wed in 2002. Adrien and Chelsea lived in Central Butte, SK, where they ran a grocery store. Adrien’s displays won many prizes, one of which was a trip to Mexico. He put aside his fear of heights and got on a plane. Adrien and Chelsea were blessed with two children, Matthew and Josh. Adrien was always proud to watch them play sports or any school performance. He loved all sports but especially loved playing baseball with the Supers. He also enjoyed golfing and curling. The Riders, Patriots, and Flyers were his favorite teams. From 2005 to 2012, Adrien worked in the automotive sales industry – he loved selling cars and all the friends he made doing it. In 2008, Adrien suffered a heart attack, and his health was never the same. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.Adrien was predeceased by his parents, Ted and Olga Rock, and his brother, Darryl Rock. He is survived by his wife, Chelsea; sons, Matthew and Joshua; brothers, Brad (Patty), Calvin, and Jason; and sister-in-law, Donna; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family, and many friends. A Public Visitation was held from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Monday, October 3, 2022, and the Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 4, 2022, both from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac officiating. Rite of Committal followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canadian Mental Health Association - Saskatchewan Division, as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Adrien Rock. Family and friends are invited to sign an online guestbook at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca. Arrangements have been entrusted to LESON’S FUNERAL HOME, Canora, SK.

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Canora resident participates in memorable Parkland College visit to Belize

Continued from Page 9 Mayan archaeological site. Recently, National Geographic surveyed the area with lidar scanning equipment which showed that there are more than

3,000 buildings in the area, most of which are still covered by dense, almost impenetrable forest. The main site has been excavated, mostly by the University of Pennsylvania and the

Government of Guatemala.

There were at least nine large temples and many other buildings that had been cleared of vegetation to show the structures. The guided tour lasted around two hours and included walking up and down and around many buildings and temples on very slippery rock. The final stop was the tallest temple at over 55 metres high. A wooden staircase had been constructed to enable visitors to access the platform near the top of the temple. The views were breathtaking, and other temples could be seen poking up above the forest canopy that went on for miles and miles around the site.

All of the buildings were constructed from locally quarried limestone. The quarries were later sealed with plaster and used as catch basins for rainwater. The buildings were designed to channel rainwater into the catch basins and canals around the city to provide a water source for the inhabitants.

The site was first inhabited in 2000 BC and at its height is thought to have housed over 120,000 people. The population declined drastically during the 10th and 11th centuries

AD for unknown reasons. The city was always known about by local people, but it wasn’t mapped by archeologists until the late 1880s.

The site was very impressive. The 10-minute ride through the ruins to get from the parking lot to the main site passed many treecovered structures which were obviously temples and other buildings. The forest canopy was home to toucans and other birds

and monkeys, both spider and howler monkeys. The weather was very hot and also very humid. The guide frequently reminded the group to drink water to prevent dehydration. The site was used for filming in the first Star Wars film, as the fictional moon Yarvin 4.

Other sights

In addition to the two day-long trips, I spent time at the large market in San Ignacio on Saturday morning, a major market day.

The stalls sold everything from clothes, handcrafts, freshly prepared food and fruit juices to an impressive array of fruits, vegetables and spices grown in the surrounding farms and villages. I also visited a chocolate-making workshop and a green iguana conservation site. I was able to sample many local dishes and a number of different restaurants, with a strong theme around rice and beans with chicken.

Local farm e r Jam e s and his e xt e nd e d family of 25 grow a numb e r of crops, including coff ee , a r e lativ e ly n e w crop, on a total of 25 acres. Jam e s was photograph e d grinding dri e d coffee ch e rri e s. Until r e c e ntly, it was thought that coff ee would not grow w e ll in Belize .

Have an ancestor that fought in a war?

for

of local veterans

our Remembrance Day feature, coming out on Thursday, November 10.

need the

dtasa@canoracourier.com,

by Monday, October

line:

Day

This is the view from the top of the tallest temple in Tikal, with other temples in the background.

Tikal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Guatemala, is th e larg e st known pr e -Columbian Mayan archaeological site