A recent art show opening at Chief Poundmaker Museum solidifies the community’s place as a cultural and historic hub.
The event featured speeches, historic interpretation and dancing for community members and guests in attendance.
Dignitaries included Bruce Starlight and Gerald Meguinis of Tsuut’ina Nation who related historical events surrounding Chief Poundmaker, Poundmaker Chief Duane Antoine and SaskCulture representatives.
Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie and Councillor Doug Laing also attended the event.
The art show featured work by Henry Beaudry and Tyrone Tootoosis.
Beaudry was a visual artist who was raised on Poundmaker.
Tootoosis was an actor, activist and oral historian.
A formal exoneration ceremony of Chief Poundmaker, possibly featuring a visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is in the works, and museum curator Floyd Favel said research work by the former Tootoosis greatly contributed to exoneration efforts.
Poundmaker’s gun and staff in a glass display case have been returned to the community again on a loan from Parks Canada. The objects made a previous appearance at the museum in 2017, when the museum and historic site re-opened.
The art show opening also featured a dress on loan from the Canadian Museum of History in Ottawa made by Mrs. Horsechild, wife of Horsechild, who was the son of Big Bear.
A previous plan involved the exoneration of Chief Poundmaker on May 2, the day after the art show opening. But other matters arose for Trudeau.
“This is the real exoneration celebration,” Favel said, referring to the art exhibit opening. “It’s according to our traditions, our protocols, and our schedules.”
“Prime minister or not, our traditions take precedence.”
In further discussions with the Crown, Favel said, traditions and traditional beliefs must be foremost.
Favel credited former chief Blaine Favel (who made efforts toward a formal exoneration in 1994), Tyrone Tootoosis, and councillor Milton Tootoosis with accomplishments toward exoneration.
The exhibit runs until May 9.
