Yesterday we spent the day walking around Qu'appelle Valley. During our outdoor exploration we experienced many different things. Our goal on the field trip was to find and write, draw, take a video or photo, about 3 things that impacted us personally. Below you will find my experience and written work about what impacted me and how.
Listening to the Water
During our journey we went down to the waters edge. While there was some people that skipped rocks or tested the coldness of the water I sat and listened. After a while the people in my class moved or walked away. It was a bit of a windy day, so as I sat there I could here the water. I closed my eyes and it was extremally peaceful. Sitting there in the quite I could feel like I was one with the water. I could hear the fish jump near by, and the birds flying overhead. I understand why people love the water so much, doing yoga or mediation next to it, just sitting there allowed me to experience personal reflection and calmness. After learning about Indigenous lives and how the treat, respect and give back to nature around them, I now see why the water is so important, so unique. It's a home for the animals, fun for humans, resources for us to survive. It peace, it's a place to clear my head and I now know that when I need space, a breather, by the waters side is where I am going to go.
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Exploring the Treaty 4 Pow Wow Grounds
While the area wasn't in use today, being back on the land brought many memories and experiences from before. When I was in grade 6 my class came here, specifically to experience the Treaty 4 Pow Wow Grounds and everything that it has to offer. During that time we got to talk to elders and knowledge keepers, explore different foods, watch cultural dances and hear traditional music. There was lots to see and do and the day was filled with activity. When we walked around and past the grounds yesterday it brought back many memories, and it also saw how quite and empty the space really is during the colder weather. The only things on the grounds permanently is the stands there, everything else is set up and taken down during the season. The Treaty 4 Pow Wow Grounds is a special place not just for it's land and culture because of what it teaches. They open up their doors and allow students to learn and explore with them outside instead of in a classroom. Sitting on the hill side and looking at the lonely stands, even though it seems empty it's really not. The plants and animals on the ground that use it as a home in all seasons and the history sitting on the land and I have to say it feels and looks like a very peaceful place to be.
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Lebret Chapel Shrine
Lebret's Chapel Shrine is a very, very small old church on top of a very steep hill. A group of us decided to take the adventure and walk up the hill. It took a while to get up their as the path is very winedy and the hill is very steep. Once we made it up there, out of breath, we walked around and looked in the church through the windows and broken door. While the journey up to get there was hard I found it so amazing. The view from that hill shows so much of the Valley and is absolutely beautiful. When I was younger I used to go to church but stopped going because life got so busy. Looking at this church it is amazing that someone build it and that it probably fit more people then we could ever imagine inside. I can only imagine the ceremonies taken place and the families that walk up and down this hill every week, that's what true dedication looks like. I sat down, because I needed a break to have some water, it was quiet, calm, and it felt private and personal up there. There was just something about that place that felt deep and homey. I plan to explore more history about this place because it was just a whole other experience and it definitely had rich bones.
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