Growing up, the memory that plays over and over in my mind about visiting family and friends is the final wave, after hugs and kisses “Good-bye” along with the last precaution to “take care.”  Back then those words didn’t mean much to me but now I find myself saying them a lot.  If I see ice on the path I remind my children to “be careful and take care” while stepping on the slippery, snow filled walkways.  In my mind I’m convinced there are little ice demons trying to make us slip and break a leg or hip … anything to immobilize us for a while so the weather can grow the ice into even more hazardous obstacles we must navigate as we make our way through winter.  Not a fun contemplation at all. As I contemplate “taking care” I realize those words have a far more deeply reaching aspect than just watching over my family.  I must take care as a Métis person too.

I recently had the opportunity to join a group of 25 other participants for a conversation focusing on the change that could potentially come to Métis people in as little as ten years.  To a lot of you, a decade seems like such a long time however, when you consider the yearly progress that must take place for change to be implemented, ten years is not terribly far sighted at all.  Participants attending the meeting came from Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Pine House Lake, Cumberland House, La Loche and La Ronge.  Part of the discussion from August 21st’s meeting included the following:

As I write this we have a frost warning for the coming night and my heart is sinking at the thought of all the beautiful gardens I’ve been watching this summer, now threatened with cold that could mean an untimely death before the plants have even had a chance to reach their prime.  My only hope is that the warning is just that - a warning and Prince Albert gardeners are able to keep their plants protected from Jack Frost.  In the meantime, let me tell you more about some of my favourite gardens currently blooming in our city.

Imagine being outside in the middle of the night, looking for someone who may be able to see you but you’re unable to see them.  Your senses are heightened as your eyes search the darkness for a reflection, a shadow or a silhouette.  Nothing can prepare you for what comes next; no amount of training, no simulations and even the similar occurrences similar to the one you’re investigating can help in this situation.  As you search in the dead of night you must rely solely on your five senses, your experience and your instincts.  

The month of August is one I have always considered a transition month.  This is the month University students return to Saskatoon, Regina and beyond to continue post-secondary education studies.  It is a month where full time student workers reduce their work load in order to prepare to become full time learners in one of the High Schools or at a post – secondary institute here in Prince Albert.  And it is a month where people from points beyond Prince Albert relocate themselves and their families in order to pursue education, employment or to support their significant other and/or a family member in their pursuit of the aforementioned activities.  This week I thought I’d welcome newcomers to our city by introducing some of the places they may visit over the next ten to twelve months as they make Prince Albert their home.  Unlike our hometown, where we would phone up a good friend or speak to our neighbour, moving to a city can be intimidating.  And it isn’t always so simple to ask, ‘where can I fill a prescription’ or ‘what dentist would you suggest that’s nearby?’.  The list I am presenting consists of what I observed along Second Avenue, although I did sneak in a photo of my favourite Tim Horton’s, it’s not necessarily a recommendation as it is a suggestion.