North Saskatchewan River Heritage Designation on Sept 12, 2024

From the initiative of the local Smoky Lake community and their partners, a quote “Last week, on Sept 12, we celebrated the unveiling of two commemorative plaques (in Cree/Nêiyawak, Blackfoot/Niitsitapi, French and English), which honor the designation of the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta as a Canadian Heritage River (Canadian Heritage Rivers / Rivières du patrimoine canadien), which was announced by the Province (YourAlberta (Government of Alberta), Minister Rebecca Schulz) and the Government of Canada (Parks Canada Minister Steven Guilbeault) on March 22nd 2024 (World Water Day). 🇨🇦 


Thank goodness Métis Crossing so graciously hosted us indoors (🌧️)! And we were officiated by my friend, colleague, and brother from another mother Jordan Ruegg. ✨


We were *extremely* blessed to hear from Elders Jo Ann and Jerry  Saddleback of Samson Cree First Nation, who provided us with a prayer and an honor song, as well as Secretary of Harvesting and Culture for the Otipimswak Métis Government in Alberta Grant Lacombe, President of the Victoria Home Guard Don Klym, Senator Paula Simons, Executive Director for Alberta and Northwest Territories for Parks Canada Jonah Mitchell, Director for Air and Watershed Management for Alberta Environment and Protected Areas (and CHRS Board Member for AB) John Tchir, Smoky Lake County Reeve Jered Serben, and North Saskatchewan Watershed Alliance Executive Director Scott Millar. 💦


Thanks also to Veteran Bruce Gordon of Buffalo Lake who served as flag bearer, and fiddler Ron Quintal. 🎶 

The Ceyana Community Canoe Club also made the trek out from Edmonton!! 🛶


Mark Lund from Ceyana graciously supplied the Stargazer Voyageur Boat! https://www.instagram.com/reel/C_26x-khZoDmKo-DQvm-ahfpSThnVDmU-vdfjw0/?igsh=YmY2YTd6Njh5Nmdw

There were so many WONDERFUL friends, allies, and river-lovers, writers and in the room!! 🌊   Myrna Kostash, Naomi McIllwrath and others. (Edited)”


The day marked a milestone (rather than the culmination) of work since 2019. Kyle Schole and those of us present and all other 14+ other river-adjacent municipalities hope to find opportunities to work together to celebrate and communicate this important designation! 🏛️


Sunday Sept 22 is World Rivers Day. 🌎 


📸: various - Parks Canada, my mom, Hank Holloway Chunk, Sherry Heschuk, others.

Quote by Kyle Schole

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