While Poundmaker First Nation band members await the exoneration of Chief Poundmaker, the museum has reason to celebrate.
Chief Poundmaker Museum recently took home an award presented by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. The award recognizes the museum's gallery space and indoor exhibits.
Museum manager Floyd Favel sees the award as "recognition for all the work we've done in the last two years."
"It's been a very fast uphill climb, and so within that short time period we managed to do a lot of things, mainly because we had a lot of volunteers."
Favel said the museum was revived beginning in 2016. The museum had previously been operational since 1996 until about 2004, Favel said. At one point later it became the temporary band office.
Among funding sources, the museum qualified for SaskCulture Museum Grant Funding, which has been core funding.
The museum, Favel said, is "mostly historical and educational," as opposed to an artifact-based museum. The museum however has housed artifacts, such as Chief Poundmaker's war club and Winchester rifle, which were on loan from Parks Canada.
Favel said the museum's portfolio is under Headman/Councillor Milton Tootoosis. Favel said his managerial duties include organizing an art show and storytellers festival, which this summer featured acclaimed artist Kent Monkman.
At the moment Favel is teaching indigenous performance at Concordia University in Montreal, as he has on a half-year basis for the past four years.
Events next year as part of the museum's offerings will also include an art show and performers' festival.
