BIRCH ISLAND—The sun was shining brightly on the crowd gathered outside the Whitefish River First Nation fire hall as the community celebrated its 51st Winter Carnival with plenty of fun family games and camaraderie. The laughter and encouragement as competitors sawed logs, tossed frying pans and other outdoor activities was infectious. The list of events was impressive and culminated in a family dance Saturday night.
The carnival began on Thursday, February 22 with a winter carnival pageant and gala where Awesome Auntie Marti Pitawanakwat and Awesome Uncle Curtis Nawehgahbow were honoured with their titles. The competition was tough. “We had to do some kind of crazy call and do a jigging dance,” she laughed. “There was quite a few of us there.”
Aunties and Uncles are the volunteer backbone of most community activities, and the recognition of their efforts was particularly appropriate at a community event that depends on their help to make things happen.
Meanwhile, the community hall was a buzz with laughter and happy children as they did crafts and visited vendors and community groups who were raising funds for their various causes. Popcorn, candy floss joined chili and scone on offer at the canteen to help keep the energy level up.
