BONNYVILLE – The Bonnyville Museum will be gaining a new structure, as they put local indigenous culture on display.
The museum and the Bonnyville Friendship Centre are partnering to host their first Mistikwaskihk Day, also known as Drum Day, at the museum grounds on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Megan Kwiatkowski, youth coordinator for the centre, said the event is meant to raise cultural awareness in the area.
“We want to incorporate some drum making, a little bit of teaching about the drum, and a tipi raising and teachings. It’s geared mostly towards youth, but the public is welcome to attend,” she explained.
The tipi that will be raised at the museum is being moved from the friendship centre, where it was constructed for National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations.
“When people come and see the pavilions, there’s a tremendous amount of history or artifacts from first nations around the area, which people don’t even know about. We’re all connected together, so it’s important that we keep that and build on it," said museum board chair Morris Mickalyk.
He added, “It will encourage people to come and visit the museum, plus engage with the first nations people and what goes on with their history.”
When Mickalyk reached out to the friendship centre about the idea, it was decided to turn the raising of the tipi into a day the whole community could enjoy.
“Awareness is knowledge, so we want it out there,” noted Janet Gobert, community initiatives coordinator at the Bonnyville Friendship Centre.
An introduction to drumming and performances will also be taking place, along with a drum making activity and arts and crafts.
“We’re going to have an elder there from Kehewin Cree Nation, and he’s going to explain why they put the tipi up the way they do,” explained Gobert. “We’re also going to have a drum group there, that hasn’t been announced yet, and we’re going to have a warrior dancer who’s going to do a demonstration. We will also have an elder from the drum group explain to the participants there what is the drum, why is the drum used, and the manner in how we use it.”
The event is free to those interested, and there won’t be an admission charged for the museum during the festivities.
Members of the friendship centre’s youth council will also be in attendance to share what they do and how others can be involved.
Events like this are just one of the ways the local friendship centre is looking to strengthen their ties to the Bonnyville area.
“With the friendship centre, our mandate is bridging the gap. So we really want to go back to those roots because we want to give back to the community,” Kwiatkowski expressed.
Gobert stressed that all Alberta Health Services (AHS) protocols will be in place, including social distancing, the wearing of masks, and hand sanitizer will be available.
Those interested in participating in the drum making activity are required to register, which can be done by calling 780-826-3374 or by email [email protected].
Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle
