By Nathan Kanter

National dreamcatcher workshop coming to the Battlefords

Feb 15, 2017 | 5:00 AM

North Battleford will be the only stop in Saskatchewan for the Confederation Centre of the Arts’ cross-country tour where unique artistic workshops celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday.

The provincial stop is next week, on Feb. 23, where youth in the Battlefords are invited to take part in a dreamcatcher workshop. There, youth aged 11-15 will have the opportunity to create a small dreamcatcher, as well as participate in drama games and other artistic activities.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts has partnered with the Battlefords Boys and Girl Club to put on the event.

“The goal is to encourage youth, through artistic mediums, to think about their future, their choices and how they can make a difference,” said Stephanie Ripley, associate producer at the Confederation Centre of the Arts. “We want them to dream big for the future. We strongly believe that our lives, country and world will be a better place if we empower and encourage our young people whenever possible.”

Submissions from youth in all 13 national stops will be used to create a musical production that will tour in the summer.

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

16h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

Khodi Dill, a spoken-word artist, emcee and educator from Saskatoon, will be the guest artist.

“We think his voice and his work are good examples of how art can be used for positive change,” Riply said. “We think he will be an exciting contributor to the workshop and the show.”

Dill will be joined by Nick Huard, an Indigenous visual artist, and Mary Francis Moore, associate artistic director of the 2017 Charlottetown Festival. The two will be workshop facilitators.

Kids will work with them to share their hopes for the future, with a focus on the environment, justice, and reconciliation.

“Huard worked on a similar project with youth in Membertou First Nation in Cape Breton,” Ripley said. “The youth there worked with [Huard] and members of the community to build dream catchers, as a way of starting conversations about dreams and the future. Nick uses the dream catcher as a metaphor for all that is possible and the importance of dreaming big for the future.”

The event will be held at the Battlefords Boys and Girls Club on Thursday, Feb. 23 from 9:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is free, but participants need to pre-register in advance by going to dreamingcanada.ca. The deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 16.

For those not between the ages of 11 and 15 who want to get involved, you can still send your dreams for the future by going to dreamingcanada.ca

Breakfast, lunch and snacks will be served at the workshop throughout the day.

Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

@NathanKanter11