Chief Lorie Whitecalf is joined by other dignitaries such as Chief Bobby Cameron of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and Mayor David Gillan to help turn the sod on Thurs., Feb.15. The site will eventually be home to a brand new school. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Sod Turning

Sweetgrass First Nation celebrates new school build with sod turning ceremony

Feb 16, 2024 | 9:42 AM

Under a snowy sky, the community of Sweetgrass First Nation officially marked the building of its new school with a blessing ceremony and shovels turning sod.

“It’s hard to describe how I’m feeling,” said Chief Lorie Whitecalf of the event on Thursday.

“I woke up this morning excited, a bit anxious about how today would turn out, came and attended the pipe ceremony – that calmed me, and I knew everything was going to work out.”

The day’s event was 23 years in the making after recommendations a new school be built to replace the current school. The excitement in the air was palpable as community elders, government representatives and the community itself turned out to witness the golden shovels turn the sod.

“I see a really bright future,” she said, noting elders and the community were part of the consultation process.

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“We’re building a life-cycle school – a school’s an essential part of the community and having a new facility that’s going to fit everybody.”

A dancer performs during the ceremony. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

The new building will be a true community hub and thanks to over $5.5 million in extra funding from the federal Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, a daycare, Head Start program, an elder room and green technology will be incorporated.

“Chief Sweetgrass and Chief Strikes Him on the Back, one day signed Treaty. This is what they envisioned for the people of Sweetgrass community,” said Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Chief Bobby Cameron.

“As long as these schools are continued to be built, our children are going to school, treaty education, treaty education implementation, that’s what we’re witnessing here today.”

He explained that what the community is working to build will stand the test of time and when the current children become elders themselves, that school will still stand.

“When many of us older people are gone to the spirit world, our little ones will live here in Sweetgrass, continue their education in a beautiful school on beautiful traditional lands here on Treaty 6 territory.”’

The $39-million project will take two years to complete and according to Jeremy Cockrill, Battlefords MLA and Minister for Education, it was an exciting day.

“I want to say as a province, as a community, we rejoice with you and your community for what’s ahead for the next generation of Sweetgrass,” he said.

Dancers take to the floor during the ceremony presentations. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

Mayor David Gillan of North Battleford congratulated the community on their journey towards stepping through the doors one future September.

“This is the future, this is why we all work so hard as elected officials: for the children,” he said. “We work for their futures.”

Mayor Ames Leslie of Battleford added in a follow-up interview that it was an overwhelming day for the Nation and the two-year time bracket gives them time to evaluate what the needs will be along with mapping out curriculum.

“It gives them the ability to self-govern their education in the way that they feel they need to do it best for their Nation and for the future of their youth.”

Chief Lorie Whitecalf speaks during the ceremony. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW staff)

For Whitecalf, it’s a vindication of the decades-long work the community has invested into ensuring a strong Nation.

“It’s for the future,” she said, noting the elders advise thinking seven generations ahead.

“It’s for the kids that are unborn yet. That’s why the leadership in Sweetgrass – that’s why we do what we do.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com