BEZANSON COMMUNITY HALL

Bezanson is a community rich in history and the community hall was significant to the development and growth of the community. The Bezanson Community Memorial Hall was built in 1949 after the first log hall (built in 1923) burnt down. This lease land obtained from the Department of Lands & Mines also included the development of the stampede grounds, curling rink, ball diamonds, and in later years the horse arena which replaced the stampede grounds. Bezanson Community Memorial Hall was incorporated under the Societies Act in 1950 and in 1981, the Bezanson Agricultural Society was incorporated under the Agricultural Societies Act and both the Bezanson Memorial Hall Board and the Bezanson Curling Club were brought under the Ag umbrella. Still at the core of the Bezanson Agricultural Society are values of family, friendship and community service. At the Bezanson Agricultural Society, our purpose is to enrich this community with opportunities that align with these core values. From toddlers to school children, to our seniors, there is something that everyone can participate in. The Bezanson Community Centre is owned and operated by the Bezanson Ag Society which proudly maintains several of Bezanson’s finest facilities and hosts numerous community events. As well as educational, agricultural and recreational programs. The Bezanson Community Centre hosts fitness classes, pickleball, children and youth slopitch and soccer programs, sports clinics and camps, dances, Bezanson Markets, seasonal events a well as providing an outdoor riding arena and ball diamond.

The new addition of the Knelsen Centre built onto the Bezanson Memorial Hall now includes the Buffalo Gravel Gym and both of these facilities are available to rent and can accommodate any type of event: weddings, fundraisers, anniversaries, family reunions, funerals, sporting events, sports tournaments and more. Camping is available on the grounds for weekend rentals.

To find out more about the Bezanson Community Centre and what the community of Bezanson has to offer, visit our Facebook page or our website! discoverbezanson.ca For further information call 780-538-3544 or email bookings@discoverbezanson.ca

Bring your back pack, snacks, water, and after walking through these unique hills and virgin grasslands you will want to let your mind go back in time as you visit the little settlement that makes up the Kleskun Hill Museum.

There you will find, next to the Edson Trail, East Kleskun School #3635 which opened in September 1919 with Miss Dorothy Morrison as teacher. Prior to this, from March 1919 to June 1919 classes were held in the William Calliou house which was then unoccupied. In September 1919 the new school was ready. Most of the pupils were Austrian, Indigenous or Metis. Later on more English speaking pupils came. The classroom looks much like it did back then. Close to the school sits the original, restored, teachers residence, the Teacherage, complete with pertinent antiques.

Other original, restored, historical buildings making up the little village are the Church, the General Store complete with living quarters attached, and two log houses; The Manning House and The Griko House dating back to 1914 and 1929. One house served as Kleskun Hill post office and the other house has walls finished using the wattle and daub technique. Last, but not least, is the Turner Barn built in 1929 and a Blacksmith Shop, from the Buffalo Lakes area built in 1914. The blacksmith shop was taken apart log by log, numbered and reassembled at the museum.

Displayed in all the buildings are artifacts, memorabilia, and stories related to the buildings and area.

May long weekend to end of August

Open: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed: Monday & Tuesday

Cost: Donations Group and private tours may be arranged. Minimum cost: $20.00 depending on group size

For more information contact: Marlaine Hessler • 780-539-7651

Located 15 minutes East of Grande Prairie on Hwy 43 Turn North on Rge. Rd. 41, drive 4km, turn West on Twp. Rd. 724

Tsattine are the original people who lived in northwestern Alberta (and adjacent areas) before the disruptions of the colonial era. There are several Tsattine clans, but social structures have been strongly affected by colonial policies and impacts. The Tsattine River People are the focus of this project; specifically, those Tsattine people whose traditional territory is centred on the Peace River of for thousands of years. This timeline provides a brief history of the impacts of colonialism in the area.

1750

Beaver Dene people have lived in northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia since time immemorial.

1760 - CREE IN

1780 - FIRST EUROPEANS IN BEAVER TERRITORY

Peter Pond was likely one of the first Europeans who had contact with, and traded with Beaver people (Ives 1990:133).

1787 - EARLY FUR TRADE POSTS ALONG THE PEACE RIVER

The fur trade in Beaver territory had begun by 1787 and initially involved intense, violent competition between Pedlars (independent fur traders from Montreal), the Hudson’s Bay Company and Northwest Company.

1793 - ALEXANDER MACKENZIE AT DUNVEGAN

Alexander Mackenzie was one of the first Europeans to travel through Beaver Territory, including Dunvegan, which eventually became a fur trade post.

1793 - ABUNDANT BISON IN THE PEACE

Northwestern Alberta, in and around Peace River, Hines Creek, Dunvegan, and Grande Prairie.

Tsattine people have been in northern Alberta since time immemorial. Archaeological evidence clearly documents the presence of people in this area for at least 13,000 years. This is much longer than Europeans have been practicing agriculture or living in sedentary villages, and pre-dates the pyramids of Egypt by thousands of years. There is evidence of bison hunting at Tse’K’wa (Charlie Lake Cave), in Beaver territory, by around 10,000 years ago. The simple timeline above graphically depicts the duration of Tsattine history compared to events in European history.

Beaver people (Tsattine, Tsa-dene, Dane-zaa) have lived in the Peace Region of northwestern Alberta and northeastern British Columbia

Cree people were employed as ‘middlemen’ of the fur trade, and were supplied with guns that allowed them to displace groups who had not yet received European guns.

1763 - ROYAL

The ‘Royal Proclamation’ issued by King George III declared that the land west of the Appalachian Mountains would be kept as hunting grounds for First Nations groups, but that the Crown would manage the buying and selling of these lands, placing First Nations groups in a subservient legal relationship under the Crown’s “protection”.

1780 - TRUCE AT PEACE RIVER

Prior to the first arrival of Europeans in Beaver territory, Cree people armed and employed by fur traders began moving west into Beaver territory. This resulted in battles in which many people died (Wanihadie 2022).

When Alexander Mackenzie was travelling through the Peace Region, he wrote about the abundance of animals in the area: (Mackenzie 1971:164).

1802 - EPIDEMIC DISEASES IN BEAVER TERRITORY

1805 - TRADING POST AT DUNVEGAN

The Northwest Company established a fur trading post at Fort Dunvegan in 1805.

1819 - MEASLES AND TUBERCULOSIS IN BEAVER TERRITORY

1821 - MERGER OF FUR TRADE COMPANIES

By the early 1800s the competition between Hudson’s Bay Company and the Northwest Company had become unsustainable and unprofitable, so they amalgamated under the HBC name.

1827 - INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN BEAVER TERRITORY

1830 - EXTERMINATION OF BUFFALO (BISON)

1845 - PRESSURE TO CONVERT TO CHRISTIANITY

1851 - INFLUENZA IN BEAVER TERRITORY

1859 - BEAVER PEOPLE RESIST PRESSURE TO BAPTIZE CHILDREN

1860 - SCARLET FEVER EPIDEMIC

1866 - MORE MISSIONARIES AT DUNVEGAN

1866 - ST. CHARLES MISSION

Although other missionaries had previously visited Dunvegan, Father Tessier was the first to found a physical church, the St. Charles Mission (South Peace Historical Society). The church’s primary purpose was to convert Beaver people to Catholicism.

1876 - INDIAN ACT

The Indian Act is a paternalistic and discriminatory set of federal laws that, among other things, gave the Canadian government control over First Nation status and management of Indigenous lands.

1880 - LAST BUFFALO IN BEAVER TERRITORY

1885 - GOVERNMENT RESTRICTS THE MOVEMENT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

1885 - GOVERNMENT UNDERMINES INDIGENOUS AGRICULTURE

1886 - STARVATION AND MALNUTRITION AS COLONIAL POLICY

1894 - GROUARD RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

1898 - ST. AUGUSTINE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

1898 - KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH

1899 - TREATY 8

Historical accounts show that Indigenous signatories of Treaty 8 were not informed about the true impacts of the treaty. The Canadian government told Indigenous peoples the treaty was a way for them to protect their way of life. This proved to be extremely inaccurate (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca; Stoney, McAllister, McAllister vs. Her Majesty the Queen 2010).

1900 - BEAVER CHIEF LA GLACE

La Glace and his people began to be displaced from their traditional lands. Their rich hunting grounds in the Grande Prairie region were attractive to farmers, who began settling in the area and appropriating the land. (South Peace Historical Society; Discover the Peace Country). Chief La Glace’s descendents still live in northern Alberta.

1904 - BEAVER RESERVE 152: FIRST BEAVER RESERVE NEAR DUNVEGAN

1905 - BEAVER RESERVE 152A (GREEN ISLAND)

1907 - STURGEON LAKE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

1911 - BEAVER RESERVE 152B (HORSE LAKE)

1913 - JOUSSARD RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL

1918 - LAND FOR VETERANS

1918 - SPANISH FLU

After World War I, the Spanish Flu epidemic took the lives of millions of people around the world, including Beaver people. Beaver people of Dunvegan were told by their Elders to go to the nearby hills and hide. They stayed there for 6 years, and when they returned, farmers had encroached on their lands (Source: Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park, Bruce McAllister Storytelling Facebook video, September 23, 2020).

1920 - DENÉSULINÉ ARE FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM THEIR LAND TO CREATE A PARK FOR BISON

1928 - RAILWAY EXPANSION

1928 - SURRENDER AGREEMENT & CLEAR HILLS 152C

1930 - GREAT DEPRESSION BRINGS TRAPPERS TO BEAVER TERRITORY

1932 - CREE MOVE TO BEAVER RESERVE 152B

Indian Agents allowed Cree people to move onto Beaver Reserve 152B (Horse Lakes), without obtaining the consent of Beaver people.

1945 - INDIGENOUS VETERANS AT A DISADVANTAGE

1948 - CHARLES CAMSELL HOSPITAL

1955 - GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATES SURRENDER AGREEMENT MONEY

1960 - THE SIXTIES SCOOP

In the 1960’s, the Canadian government took children from Indigenous (including Beaver) families and placed them in foster homes. This was one method that the government used to force cultural assimilation.

2000 - SURRENDER AGREEMENT’ DECLARED NULL AND VOID

In 1991, Horse Lake First Nation submitted a claim to the government that the 1928 Surrender Agreement, which relinquished control of Beaver Reserves 152 and 152A, was null and void. Almost 10 years later, in September 2000, the government agreed to a settlement and paid $123,672,000 to Horse Lake First Nation, which was under Cree leadership. Little or no settlement money reached Beaver families (Stoney, McAllister, McAllister vs. Her Majesty the Queen 2010).

The Tsattine Resurgence Society was founded in 2018 with the goal of educating and healing Tsattine (Beaver) people by revitalizing Tsattine language, traditions and land. The Tsattine Resurgence Society organizes community activities and events such as language classes and gatherings where people can participate in traditional activities.

For complete details of this timeline, please see www.beaverlandalberta.org. We would like to thank the author’s of this

Rio Grande Hall - The Rio Grande Sports Association offers general use of the Rio Grande Hall to community members and the general public. The Rio Grande Hall is operated and maintained by community volunteers who are dedicated members of the Rio Grande Sports Association. Booking and reservations can be made on the Rio Grande website at https://riogranderodeo. ca/rentals/rio-grande-hall

Rio Grande Pavilion - The Rio Grande Sports Association offers general use of the Rio Grande Pavilion to community members and the general public. The Rio Grande Pavilion located at the Sports Grounds is operated and maintained by community volunteers who are dedicated members of the Rio Grande Sports Association. Booking and reservations

The Rio Grande Sports Days have every year been held on the July 1st weekend. It was the event of the year and people for miles around would attend all dressed in their Sunday best with picnic baskets brimming full for an all day picnic. The first years were organized in 1916 and 1917 by Dan and John O’Connell. In those early years the day’s activities consisted of a picnic, children’s races, adult tug-of-war, and nail driving contest for men and women.

From 1918 to 1924, the Sports Days were held on Bedier’s farm, now the Liberty place. They then moved to the Joe Simm’s farm, now owned by Harold Attwood. The next stop for a few years was the old school section now owned by Sandy Scorgie. By this time a rough plank dance floor was constructed and the outdoor dances were a great event. Added to the agenda also by this time were baseball games, softball and basketball for the ladies. Boxing demonstrations for an eager crowd were also held. The most remembered announcer was Cam Leckie, who’s only equipment was a huge blow horn. It is said you could hear him for miles!

In 1929, the sports and rodeo were moved to the Red Willow Sports Grounds where it continues today. A beautiful circle of trees and the river provided a perfect setting for day’s activities. Being beside the river presented the opportunity to increase the array of events, one of which, the greased pole walk. Tales are told of folk, unsteady on their feet by this time, dressed in their best suit, white shirt and tie, landing in the river.

After being moved to the present site, a circular race track was added. The horse races were taken very seriously by many. Dorothy Dewar tells of the time their car broke down on Liberty’s hill on route to the rodeo. Bob Dewar walked into Liberty’s for assistance in fixing the vehicle. Dorothy was afraid of this taking too long so she unloaded her horse and rode to the Rodeo grounds (4 miles). Just as she got to the gate, she heard her race being called. She yelled “Wait for me!” As her horse was ready and warm from his walk, she won the race.

can be made on the Rio Grande website at https:// riogranderodeo.ca/rentals/pavillion

Ball games were also a bIg hit. Roy Nichol coached a local ball team in the 1930’s on whose team Patsy Martin was a player. She doesn’t remember whether they won many games or not but admits they got to know the Elmworth and Halcourt girls, many of which are still friends today.

As well, we also had the riding events that everyone eagerly awaited. The story is told of how children could not ride steers without the permission of their parents. Whenever Wayne Chamberlain was present, he instantly became the consenting parent of many an inspiring rider. And of course there was the bronc riding! There was many times one pair of chaps served every contestant. When it came time for the bucking, the horses were snubbed to another horse or else someone held the bucking horse down while another person chewed on the horse’s ear as the rider mounted then the blindfolded was lifted Rid’em cowboy! (The invention of the Wild Horse Race).

To our knowledge the sports had been cancelled only one year and this was because of rain. Many a time it was so dusty! When dance time came, everyone moved to the hall and the dust just followed them!

We offer a big thank-you to Albert, Stella & Lewis Holtz, Pearl Cook, Arlene Martin, Neil O’Connel, Bob and Dorthy Dewar, Patsy Martin, Percy Hunkin, Beaverlodge to the Rockies, the Isabel Campbell Archives and the Herald Tribune for the above information.

A Great Place to Live, Work and Raise a Family! Sexsmith’s attractive rural and small-town lifestyle, affordability and its reputation continue to grow.

Many from across Northwestern Alberta, the Peace Country, and Northeastern British Columbia… from young couples and families, small businesses and entrepreneurs, professionals, retirees, to daily commuters… are increasingly exploring the serene and highquality of life that the Town has to offer.

Sexsmith has grown and is a friendly, progressive community with over 2800 people. The community offers excellent education, religious, recreational and cultural facilities, including a municipal campground called Heritage Park that offers a stocked fishpond.

Visitors can also enjoy many Town amenities such as the skateboard park, splash park, curling rink, arena, numerous playgrounds, and walking trails throughout the Town. Young ones will enjoy playing at one of the twelve playgrounds you’ll find within the Town, many located along walking paths.

Newly constructed walking paths along the north end of the town, bordering on wetlands and natural areas will be open for the 2023 season.

Visit our historic downtown that includes unique retail shops, restaurants and more.

The Sexsmith Wellness Coalition has created and facilitates fitness classes and events, drop-in programs like pickleball, seniors’ community kitchen, youth programs, cooking workshops and more. They also oversee the community garden and teach others how to garden!

Sexsmith also has a robust Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Program, which is based on the belief that self-help contributes to a sense of integrity, self-worth, and independence. FCSS helps the residents adopt healthy lifestyles, thereby improving the quality of life and building the capacity to prevent and even deal with crisis situations should they arise.

The Sexsmith and District Museum Society has filled their 2023 Season with new exhibits, redesigned buildings, and newly created venues which offer the historical relevance and prestige of not only Sexsmith, Alberta but also the Peace Country.

The Alberta Wheat Pool Elevator is nearing the final phase of preservation. This six-year major project, when completed in 2023, will transport you back in time to the handling of grain in the 20th century. Tours of the grain elevator, with retired elevator agents, are available on request, during the museum season.

You can also explore on 99th Street, the Anderson Hall Museum, with a 60’ x 60’ addition, the Greek Orthodox

The Sexsmith & District Chamber of Commerce invites you to stop in and visit our many businesses. We have over 50 businesses in our community offering residents and visitors with unique retail experiences and daily staples. We are committed to business and supporting the area. Our members are residents and would love to welcome you personally. Join us or visit us on Facebook!

Church, the Paszkowski House, the Black Smith Shop, and the old Fire Hall which have all been re-designed and are rare gems within Alberta’s Museum world. Behind the blacksmith shop sits the historical Barn which will be ready for viewing by June 1st. As well, a new exhibit, entitled “Axe to Grind” was created in 2022 and contains every type of instrument used to build the frontier and tools to keep the old machines working.

Each year the Town of Sexsmith holds many annual events including Chautauqua Day in June. This event has been held for over 75 years and is an old-fashioned community celebration inspired by the

FEBRUARY traveling entertainers who first came to the prairies. It’s a great time to visit and exchange the stories.

In November, the community comes together for Christmas in Sexsmith, an annual event that includes fun activities for the whole family and lots of retail options for holiday shopping including the Sexsmith Farmers’ Market Christmas sale. To kick off the event, Town Light Up celebrates the turning on of the Christmas lights, festively lighting up the downtown core and other areas around Sexsmith. This event has been dubbed a “Hallmark Christmas movie scene”, which accurately represents the spirit of Christmas in Sexsmith.

Come on out to Sexsmith for the local seasonal Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays at the Sexsmith Curling Rink from 4pm-7:30pm June through September. It’s a fun, familyfriendly market with lots of room to move, a new food truck every week, a local food vendor in the concession and lots of fantastic vendors! You’ll find only homegrown, home-baked, or homemade items including fresh fruits & vegetables, meats, wine, eggs, baking, honey, natural skincare, leather goods, wood decor, sewn & knit items and so much more!

Family Day Event

APRIL

Easter Event

MAY

Town Wide Garage Sale Day

JUNE

Chautauqua Day

Seasonal Farmers’ Market starts

SEPTEMBER

Terry Fox Run

NOVEMBER

Remembrance Day Service

Town Light Up Christmas in Sexsmith

A Demolition Derby is held annually with a full day of family entertainment; kids’ activities and games and of course, the demolition derby. The newest event held in the town is a two-day Mud Bog. There are two race pits, one “Hill in the Hole” pit and of course a deep mud challenge. This annual event is mud flinging, wheel spinning, adrenaline filled good time.

Wembley currently has a population of over 1500, and has amenities such as walking trails, a recreation centre, a skating rink, skateboard park, soccer field, lit football field, full size outdoor rink and Sunset Lake Park. The park amenities include a spacious gazebo shelter, fire pit and marshland boardwalks. Sunset also hosts a wonderful playground with multiple climbing structures, slides, swings, balance apparatus and a new Spray Park for those warm summer days. The playground is surrounded

• Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

• Pipestone Creek Bonebed

Tours

• Pipestone Creek

Campground

• Pipestone Golf Club

• Sunset Lake Park, Boardwalk & Spray Park

• Wembley Skateboard Park

• Wembley Outdoor Rink by wonderful green space which provides great places for picnics, frisbee, horse shoes and family time alike. This area is an excellent spot for bird watchers to check many local species off their list, hosting species of both marsh lands and Boreal Forests.

Wembley is the gateway to the dinosaurs and is the home of the 41,000 square foot, state-of-the art Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum. The Pipestone Creek area, located south of the Town of Wembley, has received international attention due to the discovery of the world’s Pachyrhinosauruslargest(“thick nosed” horned dinosaur) bonebed. The Pipestone Creek site contains hundreds of dinosaur skeletons and is one of the best horned dinosaur bonebeds found in North America. The Dinosaur Museum is a world class museum. The Museum and the Dinosaur Bonebed are a

JUNE major tourism destination site for travelers from around the world.

According to the Northwestern Polytechnic (formerly Grande Prairie Regional College) paleontology program, it’s a theory that during a migration more than 70 million years ago, a herd of the thick-nosed, plant-eating pachyrhinos tried to cross a river in a flood. The animals may have panicked and similar to the mass mortality of a Quebec caribou herd in the ‘80s, the dinosaurs died in the flood. It’s theorized the carcasses were washed down river until they settled in a final location. Once there, the bones were disarticulated, like a puzzle. Bonebed tours are offered on a regular basis.

Make sure to follow us on Facebook & watch our website for upcoming activities throughout the year!

Stacy Krahn Memorial Mud Bog

Stacy Krahn Memorial Motorsports Park

JULY

Canada Day

AUGUST

PCORA Mud Bog - Stacy Krahn Memorial Motorsports Park

Fall Fair

Source Energy Arena & Recreation Centre

SEPTEMBER

Demo Derby - Stacy Krahn Memorial Motorsports Park

OCTOBER

Safe Halloween Skeleton Crawl

NOVEMBER

Nov 11 - Remembrance Day

DECEMBER

Light the Night

Wembley Centre Park

Neighbouring Grande Prairie to the south and east, Greenview spans more than 32,000 square kilometres and offers an array of rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, and prairie meadows that are waiting to be explored. Its extraordinary range of landscape and untamed wilderness promises an abundance of yearround adventures for outdoor and recreational enthusiasts.

Greenview encompasses the rural communities of Grande Cache, Grovedale, DeBolt, Ridgevalley, Crooked Creek, Valleyview, New Fish Creek, Sunset House, Little Smoky, and Fox Creek. With the spectacular panoramic vistas of the Canadian Rockies only two short hours south and endless tourism and recreation opportunities in between, you will find unique experiences wherever your travels take you.

Hike and bike a variety of nature trails, from short treks to extreme multi-day backpacking adventures. Enjoy causal biking or if you are looking for something more radical, visit Nitehawk Adventure Park’s Mountain Biking Park just across the river from Grande Prairie. Journey on a true backcountry horseback riding excursion with a commercial operator or on your own. The area boasts staging areas with corrals for your convenience, giving you access to the pristine Willmore Wilderness Park.

From twisted trails to rolling hills, the diverse range of terrain is ideal for off-road enthusiasts plus enjoy kilometers of groomed trails for snowmobiling.