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For this northern Saskatchewan First Nation, the future is Indigenous tourism

Waterhen lake first nation buys waters edge eco lodge, trains community members.

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This story was originally published June 20, 2022.

In the heart of Saskatchewan's boreal forest lies Waters Edge Eco Lodge.

The tourism destination is located on the traditional lands of the Waterhen Lake First Nation. The people of that nation just got that land back.

The nation recently bought the resort, located 50 kilometres north of Meadow Lake on the west side of Greig Lake. The purchase marked the beginning of an ambitious, community-run leap into the world of Indigenous tourism.

Not only will the tourism provide visitors with a special experience, it will also benefit the Waterhen community both spiritually and economically. 

"You're coming back home to the land where we once were, where our ancestors once practised," said Jesse Morin, operations manager for the Waterhen Lake First Nation Development Corporation and the interim manager for the newly purchased Water's Edge Eco Lodge. "It was not only a welcome home, but here's where we're taking the future. The Eco Lodge and tourism is what's going to feed our children in the future."

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The lodge is already open to the public, but Morin has big plans. He will soon be bringing in 10 teepee lodges and is planning tourism packages that capitalize on the boreal forest and Waterhen's traditional territory. 

He said the First Nation will stay away from stereotypical commercialism. This means not exploiting Indigenous culture, but educating people about what that culture means. 

"When it comes to our traditional culture and spirituality, there's a fine line between education and experience," he said.

Morin said those who visit the Eco Lodge will learn how the Indigenous people of the area live off the land now, and how they used to.

"We don't want a corny approach to our Indigenous tourism, we want to be a little more authentic. So you're experiencing the land-based, you're experiencing the food, you're having an amazing stay," Morin said.

"We want to give you more of an experience of what we were doing here, whether it's going for a canoe ride, maybe setting a trapper's tent or going out to do a mock trap line, maybe going to identify some of the herbs and medicines in our area."

Morin said Indigenous tourism has become very popular over recent years and Waterhen is ready to jump in with both feet. 

Now, Waterhen is expecting an influx of European tourists over the next two years and is also focused on building a strong domestic clientele. 

Authentic Indigenous tourism is a growing trend

An authentic experience.

Waterhen isn't the only First Nation to take on Indigenous tourism in Saskatchewan. 

A recent survey of North American and European tourists found there is an appetite for Indigenous-led tourism, but only if it does not exploit the community and provides an authentic cultural experience. The problem is the notion of authenticity is often based on stereotypes. 

This is often on Kevin Seesequasis' mind. He's the community and tourism development officer from Beardy's and Okemasis Cree Nation, located about 90 kilometres northeast of Saskatoon. 

It's part of an Indigenous tourism corridor in the area that includes a casino, a golf resort and a heritage centre with bison. Soon, the nation's tourism project will include teepee-inspired lodges for a 'glamping' experience. They hope to get the province of Saskatchewan's permission to place the lodges in Fort Carlton Provincial Park. 

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It was recently announced that funding from the Tourism Relief Fund and Trans Canada Trail will be used to construct more than 20 kilometres of trail, to be named Pêmiska Trails, through the Beardy's & Okemasis community.

"We found that a lot of international visitors have this Disney-fied perception of who Indigenous peoples are," said Seesequasis. "We have to educate people more and better on who we are as authentic Indigenous peoples. We're not the Peter Pan-type style Indians."

He said the nation wants tourists to know that they don't wear buckskin dresses, headdresses and feathers every day. 

"I think we've been able to strike a really, really appropriate balance. We had some very, very good meetings with our knowledge keepers and our elders in our community, and they told us what we can showcase and what was certainly off limits."

So what is off limits for tourists?

Seesequasis said sundances, pipe ceremonies and sweat ceremonies are only for the community. But he said educating tourists about residential schools is a focus for the Beardy's & Okemasis Cree Nation. 

He said people have a desire to know more about the history of colonization and why reconciliation is important in Canada .

"Those really, really dark truths we are going to showcase, and tell those stories. In spite of all that ... look at who we are now." 

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Training the community

Forty kilometres northeast of Waters Edge Eco Lodge, back on Waterhen Lake First Nation, chef Garnet Heinrichs is visiting from Saskatoon to teach residents ready-to-work culinary programs for the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council. 

Participants are taught line cooking — learning how to make all different kinds of food including Italian, Asian and Canadian. 

"We get them all the certificates they need. We give them the workplace essential skills that they need to go out into the workforce and teach them some cooking skills, some serving skills, so that they can go out to the real world and make it into a resort or a mine or wherever they choose to work," said Heinrichs. 

Participants get 15 certificates for work in kitchens, including FoodSafe. Everyone is job-ready when they walk out the door.

Heinrichs said he hopes many take these skills and put them to use at the Eco Lodge. That way they're close to home. But he said he also wants to see them explore their possibilities.

"It changes their lives. A lot of them have been on the reserves their whole life. And when they get to leave, they get to see so much more and they get to experience so much more. So it's very good for them to go out and spread their wings."

Twenty-year-old Jowel LaPratt is currently in a ready-to-work program with Heinrichs. She said that before the program, she was shy, but now she is no longer intimidated by the prospect of serving in the hospitality industry.

LaPratt said she believes the ready-to-work programs will help people at Waterhen become more successful.

"I think that was very, very helpful because a lot of people don't really get to leave the reserve and it's kind of hard for them to get jobs. With the Eco Lodge, there's more job opportunities."

WATCH | Indigenous tourism is growing:  

Utilizing the boreal forest

Meanwhile, back at Waters Edge Eco Lodge, Morin has hired Métis chef Jenni Lessard to develop an authentic menu that uses ingredients from the surrounding boreal forest. Lessard is primed for this job, as she runs the culinary consultant business Inspired by Nature. She was also previously executive chef at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, another Indigenous tourism destination.

Lessard grew up in the boreal forest north of La Ronge.

"I grew up eating wild blueberries, Labrador tea. It was right in my backyard, picking mint from down by the lake. And I look around here at the lodge and I see my childhood," Lessard said.

"There is a huge thirst for knowledge of Indigenous culinary experiences, Indigenous culinary tourism experiences. And who better to do that than the people who have occupied these lands for hundreds and hundreds of years?"

One of Waters Edge Eco Lodge's menu items will be a wild rice, wild cranberry stuffed chicken breast with a rose hip cream sauce. Another is a bullet soup with Dandelion greens and Labrador tea.

Lessard is training the culinary team at the Waters Edge kitchen and said they will be able to talk with pride about the area where the ingredients were harvested and how the dishes were created.

"Indigenous cuisine can vary from region to region. And I think what's authentic is the person who cooks it, who translates that dish, being able to tell the story behind it," said Lessard.

"I think people having the opportunity to tell the story of the land, the story of the food through a plate is incredible."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Journalist & Radio Columnist

Laura is a journalist for CBC Saskatchewan. She is also the community reporter for CBC's virtual road trip series Land of Living Stories and host of the arts and culture radio column Queen City Scene Setter, which airs on CBC's The Morning Edition. Laura previously worked for CBC Vancouver. Some of her former work has appeared in the Globe and Mail, NYLON Magazine, VICE Canada and The Tyee. Laura specializes in human interest, arts and health care coverage. She holds a master of journalism degree from the University of British Columbia. Send Laura news tips at [email protected]

With files from Bonnie Allen

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Official Kickoff to 2022 Grey Cup Festival Held Thursday in Regina

The Saskatchewan Roughriders, the C-F-L and the City of Regina joined forces Thursday to kickoff the 2022 Grey Cup Festival, which begin on Tuesday, November 15.

There will be plenty of venues that will offer a wide range of entertainment over the festival’s five day duration. Tickets for the Grey Cup are currently on sale for Roughrider season ticket holders. Tickets will go on sale on May 19 for season ticket holders for the remaining eight teams. The general public will have the chance to grab the remaining tickets on June 14. The 2022 Grey Cup will be the first Grey Cup game to be featured in the “new” Mosaic Stadium. Following is the news release from the Riders…..

DATE:                         March 17, 2022

RELEASE TIME:        IMMEDIATELY

RELEASE:                  GC2022-002

CFL COMMISSIONER KICKS OFF COUNTDOWN TO 2022 GREY CUP FESTIVAL

2022 Grey Cup Festival begins November 15, 2022

Canadian Football League Commissioner Randy Ambrosie was in Regina today to officially launch the countdown to the 2022 Grey Cup Festival. The long-awaited event will re-invigorate the province and unite CFL fans across the country for a celebration of Canadian football.

“CFL fans have waited a long time for the Grey Cup Festival in Saskatchewan,” said Ambrosie. “The championship game on November 20 will cap off the excitement of a province-wide lead-up to a five-day, national celebration in Canada’s heartland. The countdown begins now!”

As part of Thursday’s event, the Saskatchewan Roughriders acknowledged 2022 Grey Cup Festival Premier Partners Tourism Saskatchewan, The Mosaic Company, NexGen Energy Ltd., Richardson Pioneer, Harvard Media and Capital Auto Mall, as well as Major Partners Cameco, SaskEnergy and SaskPower. The Province of Saskatchewan and City of Regina, along with CFL and Grey Cup Festival partners BetRegal, Canada Drives and Twisted Tea, were also recognized.

“We’re thankful for the many partners that have invested in the 2022 Grey Cup Festival to bring fans together in a celebration that has been a long time in the making,” said Roughrider President and CEO Craig Reynolds. “Saskatchewan is the heartbeat of the CFL, and our partners are the heartbeat of what will be the best Grey Cup Festival our country has ever seen.”

For the first time ever, all Grey Cup events will be hosted on a 100-acre, single footprint area, which makes it easy for fans to take part in all the fun, affordable and family-friendly activities. REAL District will host everything on the campus, including the team party rooms, the one-and-only Riderville, plus family events and the 109th Grey Cup game at Mosaic Stadium.

Today’s kickoff re-introduced aspects of the winning bid from 2020 and gave a sneak preview of some of the exciting things planned for the 2022 Grey Cup Festival. The event’s Volunteer Host Organizing Committee – led by co-chairs Darren Anaka and Nathan Morrison – is working hard behind the scenes to deliver an unforgettable event with something for everyone.

“Saskatchewan is built on an incredible volunteer spirit, and this event is no different,” said Reynolds. “In addition to our Volunteer Host Organizing Committee, we’ll be recruiting over 2,000 volunteers to help us deliver a memorable Grey Cup Festival. We know Saskatchewan people will step up to the challenge when we put out the call for volunteers later this year.”

Among the major events and partners announced today were:

• Mosaic Village , the name for the Grey Cup Festival footprint. This will be the home of Festival events and activations such as the team parties, Riderville, the SaskPower Family Fair, and much more!
• NexGen Energy Street Festival , a free, family-friendly outdoor street festival, with more than 400,000 sq. ft. of fun activities and adventures, including the SaskPower TubeSlide.
• Richardson Pioneer Rider Nation Community Celebration , a contest for small-to-medium sized Saskatchewan communities with the chance to win one of six (6) $25,000 donations for sport, culture or recreation initiatives and individual Grey Cup Festival celebration parties at the winning towns to further the communities’ fundraising efforts.
• Harvard Media Community Stage, this outdoor area located at the south end of Confederation Park will be home to local music acts, entertainers, and community programming throughout Grey Cup Festival Week. This all-ages area is FREE to attend and Harvard Media’s on-air talent will host throughout the week.
• Capital Auto Outdoor Tailgate, this ticketed event will take place on festival grounds in Confederation Park and will feature live entertainment for thousands of fans prior to gates opening at Mosaic Stadium on Grey Cup Sunday.

More details will be announced in the coming months with information posted on the official website of the 2022 Grey Cup Festival, www.greycupfestival.ca . Tickets for the November 20 Grey Cup Championship game go on sale to the general public on June 14, 2022. With more than half of the tickets to the big game already sold, the best way to secure seats now is to become a Rider Season Ticket Holder. Visit riderville.com for more details.

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Jonathan Potts named CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan

Thursday, June 3 2021

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Experiences to add to your Saskatchewan Bucket List

• http://www.tourismsaskatchewan.com/blog/2017/05/09/nathan-jones">

With a land mass of over 650,000 square kilometres, Saskatchewan is a province that covers a massive amount of territory. Stretching from the grasslands in the south to the rugged Canadian Shield in the north, the amount of uninhabited land offers great opportunity for exploring off the beaten path. Within these borders, there is also a chance to explore rich cultures and step back in time. The following list – let's call it a "experience bucket list" – offers an idea of what I think everyone in Saskatchewan, resident or tourist, should attempt to experience to get an idea of what this province has to offer.

Explore the North and the South

Missinipe to Val Marie runs a distance of 845 kilometres and offers a look at two at distinctly different landscapes within Saskatchewan.   Missinipe is a hotbed for outdoor enthusiasts, acting as the gateway to the northern Saskatchewan for paddlers and anglers alike. Whether it be a quick weekend of whitewater rafting, a longer expedition or a fly-in fishing trip, northern lakes of the are a veritable playground for those yearning for solitude. Be sure to stop by Robertson Trading Post in La Ronge on your way through to purchase some local wares and get in touch with Ric Driediger from Churchill River Canoe Outfitters to plan your adventure. 

In the south of the province lies a completely different opportunity for culture and exploration. Grassland National Park , Cypress Hills and Castle Butte all challenge the typical stereotype that Saskatchewan is flat and boring. Backpacking into the Valley of 1,000 Devils, one starts to wonder if The Martian was filmed right here in Saskatchewan. Maybe all the Matt Damon sightings in Gravelbourg were true. Speaking of Gravelbourg , make sure to stop in and check out some of the Western themed art that sprinkles the walls of many of the restaurants. Both northern and southern Saskatchewan have vibrant local arts communities that are waiting to be discovered, with the work of writers, painters and photographers who are heavily influenced by remote and unforgiving landscapes and lifestyles of the lands’ inhabitants. Don't avoid making a pit stop in a small town, because you never know what type of eclectic art (or eclectic artists) you may find.

While technological advances have affected most sports with better equipment, instant replays, etc, rodeo has remained relatively unchanged over the last 100 odd years. Man and animal dancing in a gritty and enchanting competition. Take your pick of small-town rodeos across the province and you will get a glimpse into the world of an extremely dedicated and passionate group of individuals who spend their weekends chasing belt buckle dreams across western Canada.

The Wood Mountain Stampede is especially interesting as it is not only the longest running rodeo in Canada (the second longest in North America), but its grounds are located next to a memorial of Sitting Bull. The Stampede offers a step through a window into an event that seems to be untouched by time.

Go to a Music Festival

If you don't pay attention to the Saskatchewan music scene you may not realize that our province is a hotbed for talented artists. The Sheepdogs, Colter Wall, Andy Shauf, The Dead South, Megan Nash –  the list goes on.  While on any given weekend you can find beautiful melodies wafting out the door of your nearest watering hole, the best chance to take in a multitude of artists, both local and international, is at any one of numerous music festivals that take place throughout the summer. The Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival and Regina Folk Festival are the largest centres’ festival offerings, but take a dirt road and you will find amazing venues in the most unlikely places. Gateway Music Festival in Bengough, Ness Creek Music Festival at Ness Creek, Dog Patch Music Festival at Loon Lake and All Folk'd Up in Montmarte just scratch the surface of opportunities to treat your ears to a weekend out!

See Where Your Food Comes From

Saskatchewan's history runs deep with agrarian roots, with many farms supporting multi-generational operations that have been passed on over the years. Not to mention the fact that our province exports nearly 14 billion dollars’ worth of agricultural products annually. While not a typical tourist destination, there are few places in the world where engaging in your food chain is accessible as right here in Saskatchewan. Whatever your eating habits are – omnivore, vegetarian, organic, conventional or a mix of all, there is a farm somewhere near by that is creating that type of food! Visit a guest ranch , farmer’s market or rural bed and breakfast to get a glimpse of farm life. 

Author & photographer: Nathan Jones

Website:  http://www.jonesphoto.ca   Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/anothernate