VAL MARIE, JULY 24, 2009
Presented by the Prairie Wind and Silver Sage (Friends of Grasslands National Park) in partnership with the Rural History and Culture Association, the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society and Burning Sun Productions with major financial support provided by the Building Pride Program of the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. Additional support was provided by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation and SaskEnergy.
Spirits of the Trail
Val Marie hosted the fifth of the six Celebrate the NWMP Trail festivals. Over 30 pictures from all six of the festivals can be viewed on the RHCA’s Flicker site. Val Marie’s festivities started with a Trail ride in to town from the original NWMP Trail, which is located just outside of Val Marie. Following the trail ride, Spirits of the Trail was performed. Spirits was a dramatic re-telling of the story of the friendship between Sioux Chieftain Sitting Bull and NWMP Officer James Walsh. After the performance, a delicious Beef and Beans supper was served by the Val Marie Elevator Committee at the Palis Theatre with all funds going towards restoring the Val Marie Elevator, which is a municipal heritage property owned by the Village of Val Marie. 
Following supper, noted historian and award-winning author, Garrett Wilson, presented on the history of the NWMP Trail, followed by a slide presentation by Finn Andersen of the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society (SHFS). Garrett’s presentation dealt with the events that took place on the NWMP Trail in the 1870s, while Finn explained the work of Everett Baker, the first President of the SHFS, who led the effort to place historic markers on the Trial in the 1950s and 60s.
Following these presentations, the audience participated in a campfire storytelling circle featuring Saskatchewan singer/songwriters, cowboy poets and First Nations storytellers and singers. These included Ken Mitchell and Geordie Grassick whose cowboy poetry got everyone laughing. 
An amazingly powerful song by a First Nations elder Elmer Strong Eagle about his experience as a survivor of the residential school system had a huge impact on the whole audience. Other performers included Elmer’s son and noted actor Matthew Strong Eagle as well as Karen Blackwell Jones of Dinsmore and Megan Nash of Mortlach. Karen provided poignant songs about living in rural Saskatchewan and her family’s pioneer roots while Megan got everyone’s toes tapping with her energetic country songs. Craik musician Tommy-John Ehman also appeared providing music that reflects both is roots in small-town Saskatchewan and his respect for Canada’s soldiers. The three videos featured on this page highlight the musical performances of Tommy and Karen. It was a great event with approximately 75 people taking in some or all the festivities.