Day 3 Session (July 2, 2006)
- Posted by: chantal
- On: 07/02/2006 15:54:01
- In: Uncategorised
Diversity and Rural Heritage in Alberta's North
On a day when the temperature in Washington is soaring near 100 degrees Fahrenheit, it's hard to imagine what life in Northern Alberta - often associated with unforgiving cold temperatures - is like. Buses that can't run when the temperature dips below -40 degrees Celcius and snow-covered ground from September to May are all part of reality for the students of Rocky Lane and Rainbow Lake Schools in Fort Vermilion. Despite these perceivably harsh conditions, students explained how they make the most of it - from enjoying a full sports schedule to participating in outdoor carnivals.
The Washington audience listens attentively to student accounts about life in Northern Alberta (below):
Rainbow Lake is home to 5% of the oil produced in Alberta, which was discovered (along with gas) in 1955. With the help of a visualizer, Rainbow Lake students demonstrated to the Washington audience products of the oil production process, including crude oil and hydrogen sulfide.
Crude Oil (below):
While Rainbow Lake is a relatively "young" oil and gas town (with the average age being 29), Rocky Lane is rich in history and culture. Several school houses dating back to the 1930s were amalgated into Rocky Lane School, which was formed in 1955. Since its inception, the school has become the centre of the community.
Following a description of their schools and communities, students then asked the Washington audience to guess what several of their native artifacts represented. Mittens, mocassins, a rabbit holder, a seed planter and a clothes washer were all part of the trivia game.
Beaver fur and moose hide mittens (below):
A seed planter (above):
Four volunteers from the Washington audience joined Minister Zwozdesky and Karen on stage to participate in a traditional native hand game, as demonstrated by the students of Rocky Lane and Rainbow Lake.
Finally, Minister Zwozdesky facilitated a question and answer period. Questions from the Washington audience included "Why does the flag look the way it does?" "What unit of measurement do you use? What is a kilometre?" and "What it is like during the summer?"
