HERITAGE AND CULTURE

STUART BITTERNOSE has dedicated his life to ensuring that the history and traditions of First Nations people are not forgotten by the younger generations. He was raised by his grandmother, who instilled in him a commitment to “always remember where you come from, and be proud of who you are, and hold true to your heart your Indian culture, customs, language, and your beliefs.” Stuart devotes countless hours to ensuring that the community, particularly the younger generations, learns the importance of retaining the Cree language as well as the culture. He works with and teaches both First Nations and non-First Nations youth, seeking to bridge the gap between the two cultures through providing an awareness of First Nations history, cultural norms and values, and the Treaties. He also serves as a mediating Elder, and shares his wealth of knowledge, experience, and understanding of traditional ways and practices for the good of all.

KEN ALLAN FADER has “spent a lifetime in service to others. He is a retired RCMP officer who devotes much of his time in retirement to cultural and historical activities, educating, enabling, and encouraging individuals and groups to celebrate our culture and our history. He volunteers at the RCMP Heritage Centre, greets the graduating cadets, and gives presentations to groups about the culture and heritage of the RCMP, including his experiences as part of the Musical Ride, as security detail with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and family in Ottawa, and his many postings throughout Saskatchewan. He has also been a member of the United Empire Loyalist Association for many years, supporting the activities of the group, giving presentations, attending Dominion conferences, and generally serving as a wealth of information about the UEL and about Saskatchewan history. He particularly enjoys sharing his knowledge with young people. One of his supporters says, “He is among the first to step up to help.”