‘Proud of where I come from’: Culture Day celebrates South African roots

Aug 14, 2026 | 3:36 PM

For Casey Els, sharing South African culture is about more than food, music and history – it is about helping people understand where she comes from.

Els, who moved to Canada from South Africa 10 years ago, is helping organize the Cut Knife Museum’s first Culture Day, a community event aimed at celebrating South African traditions while creating an opportunity for conversation and connection.

“We were looking for activity ideas and I thought, why not do a culture day? That way the communities can gather around and experience the South African culture in their community,” she said.

Visitors will have the chance to try popular South African foods, listen to music and browse culture-related vendors on Aug. 22. Els said sharing those traditions is important to her and gives others a chance to learn more about her home country.

“I’m very proud of where I come from,” she said. “For me, I did find it difficult moving here, but then … the more I interacted with people, the easier it became and how accepting everyone was of me. It’s just felt very welcoming here.”

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Els said there is a small South African community in the Cut Knife area, while hundreds of South African families have made their homes across Saskatchewan.

“My family has helped a lot of other South Africans move here because they always have questions about what to do here or what they need to do. So my parents have always helped out a lot of other South Africans come here,” she said.

Now, Els hopes Culture Day will give people another opportunity to connect, learn and ask questions while bringing hundreds of visitors to Cut Knife.

“We’re hoping that people will be able to come out and enjoy our culture and be able to ask questions that they have and just experience our history and listen to our stories, just to hang out and have fun.”

Organizers hope the event will be the first of many Culture Days at the museum, with plans to highlight a different culture each year. This year’s event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 22 at Tomahawk Park in Cut Knife.

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Alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

‘Proud of where I come from’: Culture Day celebrates South African roots

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