The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation announced a donation of $10,000 to the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum to help expand the already established Traditional Knowledge Keepers Program.

“I think it just helps us to continue on our journey of learning, whether it’s for school groups or the public to take part in our Indigenous programming,” said Theresa Walter, First Nations Specialist with the museum.

During an announcement hosted on Friday morning in the museum’s lobby, Walter stated how it’s powerful to see more supports coming through to share knowledge through events and activities.

Workshops and events range in a number of topics including storytelling, plant use and traditional art, including:

• Orange Shirt Day (September 30);
• Saskatchewan Indigenous Storytelling (January – March);
• National Indigenous History Month (June);
• National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21); and
• Other events involving morning prayer.

Walter said it’s important to reach out to people of all ages. “We need to have those doors of knowledge open for everyone, and individuals can decide what they want to do with that knowledge.”

In a release from the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation, they mentioned how the partnership not only meets organizational goals, but also contributes to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and their calls to action.

“As teachers, we know learning and recognizing the past is necessary to build understanding of one another,” said Patrick Maze, President of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

STF says more than 2,500 students will participate in the new program over the next year.