MEOTA — It was an absolute delight to attend the Meota Library presentation by Darwin Atcheynum. Since it was advertised as a storytelling event, he started it off with folklore from his Indigenous roots.
He shared his experiences growing up on a farm in Saskatchewan and the many challenges his family faced at the time that the west was being settled. Because he was at the tail end of his family, the residential school experience was over by the time he was of school age. His older siblings were affected by their experiences, but fortunately, he wasn’t “wounded” by the residential school experience. He was determined not to go into farming because he had witnessed how hard it had been for his father, and he chose a different path. He described the strong connection he had with his Cree roots through his family, especially his mother and grandmother.
Darwin had brought along some of his wonderful craftsmanship. He learned to make the native headdresses that are used at the powwows around western Canada. His headdresses have been exported to as far away as Taiwan and Korea. He unveiled an incredible headdress with around 500 black feathers. He was quick to point out that he hadn’t killed numerous birds to make the headdress. He ordered those feathers on eBay, and they are made in China. I particularly enjoyed it when he showed off the headdress because it brought me back to the fabulous powwows that I’ve attended at Wanuskewin and Red Pheasant First Nation.
He then unveiled an eagle feather headdress. He pointed out the intricate beading that is done by his wife and explained the source of the feathers. He has a connection with the Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre in Saskatoon. Every year, conservation officers are called to collect birds that have died from impact with power lines and trap lines in the north. They select individuals who could use the feathers. It took Darwin four years to acquire enough feathers to assemble that magnificent headdress.
He likes to use red because it signifies life. Every part of the headdress has meaning. The headdress that he was showing us had brilliant yellow, orange and red underbelly feathers that represented fire. Every feather is like a family, and once in a while, there is a split in the feather, which is like a split in the family. Over time, that split can be smoothed back together.
The White Weasel pelts signify a tenacious predator. The pelts are obvious on the headdresses as well as the clothing.
Darwin and his wife, Kim, have developed a cottage industry that allows them to work from home. They make moccasins and mittens from the hides left over from hunters. He shared a delightful story about bringing the remains of a moose back home. Their young daughter was on a snowmobile pulling a sleigh with this big bull moose, rack and all, on the side of the highway. Drivers on the highway were amazed at what they were seeing.
Darwin Atcheynum in the traditional dress that he and his wife Kim make. The entire outfit has meaning, as well as being extremely artistic. It took them a few years to collect all the items needed to complete the outfit. | Photo by Trudy Janssens
They also make the clothing and accessories that are native to the Indigenous culture. With the resurgence of Indigenous pride in culture there is now a demand for authentic clothing for special events. He showed us a very bear claw necklace that would be a commanding showpiece at a powwow.
Darwin is also a stone carver. He had two examples of his carving. Initially he would create large stone carvings. He works with Chris Odishaw at Battlefords Furniture to market his work. Chris has been encouraging him to carve smaller pieces that people can afford. He shared an early carving of a fierce face that is a signature piece that even Darwin admits has a stare that is hard to live with. It definably commands attention.
Darwin spoke for two hours, and I happily would have listened to him for another two.
In other news, the following are the Canasta results for Feb 21: hand, knee and foot winners -
Albert Huys and Marion Ottas and Larry Clark and Arlene Walker; a table of six winners - Vivianne Lesko, Gordon Klien, Karn Kelly; Feb. 28 - Stella Rendle and Gordon Klien
and Karn Kelly and Arlene Walker.
World Day of Prayer is at the Do Drop In on Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. Everyone welcome.
This month’s Do Drop In meeting has been moved from March 14 to March 21 due to important people being unavailable.
The nurse practitioner is at the Do Drop In every Tuesday of the month. Call 1-306-248-3434 for an appointment.
