Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre 2008/2009 Annual Report
Chairman’s Message
On behalf of the Board of Governors of the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre (SICC) I am pleased to submit the Annual Report for 2008 – 2009 to the Chiefsin-Assembly of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN). As the members of the Assembly read through this annual report they will appreciate the many essential projects undertaken and important accomplishments of the SICC in the past year.Above all, the SICC, the Board of Governors and I wish to acknowledge the fundamental role the Elders play in the life of this institution. It was with the direction of Elders that the SICC was founded and the Elders Advisory Council continues to advise the Centre on its overall direction and activities. The SICC Elders Advisory Council provides a clear and unbroken connection to the rich heritage, cultures and languages of the First Nations of Saskatchewan. Our Elders are the basis of our communities.
As an institution of the FSIN, the Centre is based on the founding principles of the Federation and is focused on addressing the cultural, language and spiritual needs of the First Nations of Saskatchewan. It is important to appreciate that this means addressing the needs of the eight First Nations cultures in Saskatchewan: Dene, Nakawē, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, Woodlands Cree, Swampy Cree and Plains Cree. More so than any other institution of the FSIN, the SICC is emblematic of the reality that the First Nations of Saskatchewan are from all these eight cultures.
The SICC is a practical realization of the obligation of the FSIN to address the needs of all the First Nations of Saskatchewan and their cultures. The SICC strives to support all eight First Nations languages and cultures of Saskatchewan. The SICC Elders Advisory Council has membership from each of the eight First Nations cultures of Saskatchewan. The SICC maintains a library, museum and contemporary art gallery that celebrates the vibrant heritage of all Saskatchewan First Nations.
In the years since its inception in 1972, the SICC has developed a substantial collection of educational materials for the eight First Nations languages of Saskatchewan. To enhance this collection the Centre has a Languages department that continually adds up-to-date curriculum. This year, the department has created and published the first two titles in a planned series of children’s books. These titles are available in all eight First Nations’ languages of Saskatchewan.
In order to reassert and strengthen its mission, the SICC has undertaken the drafting of a Cultural Strategy. This strategy is a statement of the mandate and philosophy of the SICC. As well, the SICC has drafted a Youth Language and Culture Strategy. The vision of this strategy is to strengthen and support the sense of identity of First Nations’ youth and to re-establish First Nations’ language and culture through our children for the generations to come. As a part of this process, the SICC Language Strategy is being reexamined and updated.
A key component of the future vision of the SICC is the Saskatchewan First Nations Keeping House Project. The Chiefs-in-Assembly of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations have twice unanimously mandated the SICC to establish the Saskatchewan First Nations Keeping House. The Keeping House Steering Committee provides overall direction for the Keeping House Project. This committee is comprised of members of the SICC Board of Governors. After thorough discussions with all key stakeholders, the SICC has undertaken a feasibility study to examine the possibility of locating the Keeping House at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. The feasibility study in and of itself does not commit the SICC to locating the Saskatchewan First Nations Keeping House at Wanuskewin. The Keeping House Steering Committee will have to review the feasibility study and the SICC Board of Governors will have to agree to any recommendation from the feasibility study.
The SICC was the first cultural institution formed by the FSIN. While the Centre has evolved over the years, it has maintained its core mission and principles. The First Nations of Saskatchewan will continue to see the SICC develop and enhance its capacities in the coming years. However, the Centre’s founding obligations to First Nations’ languages and cultures will continue.
Respectfully submitted,
Vice Chief Lyle Whitefish
On behalf of the SICC Board of Governors
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