Trauma-Informed Program Delivery Workshop

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REGINA — The Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society (SCES) hosted a virtual workshop on Wednesday for artists working in remote or northern communities that have experienced trauma.

Carol Rose GoldenEagle was one of the people behind the workshop. She has spent a lot of time storytelling and drumming in northern communities.
On a visit about a year ago, GoldenEagle said she met a young boy,
around the age of eleven or twelve.
“And while we were walking, I don’t know why or where it came from, he just kind of blurted out, and I have to use the word ‘blurted out,’ that he was thinking of killing himself,” said GoldenEagle.

While speaking to other artists at Wednesday’s workshop, GoldenEagle said she didn’t know how to respond to the boy, and the experience has remained with her ever since.
GoldenEagle spoke to other artists, and realized she wasn’t the only one dealing with this.
“Every artist who works in northern and remote communities encounters something like this. Some type of trauma-induced admission by a beautiful, young person,” she said. “We need to know how to be compassionate. We need to know how to be proactive. We need to know what is the right way to respond to something like this.”

John Kennedy, SCES’s executive director, said the organization has been sending
artists to rural and remote areas to perform for at least 30 years.
This is the first time they’ve run a workshop addressing some of those encounters.
“The ability to discuss (trauma) and confront it in constructive ways,” said Kennedy. “And also to help people channel that trauma into their art, and into a healthy way to express themselves.”
Between 15 and 20 artists took part in Wednesday’s workshop. SCES plans to hold several more in the future, including one in the spring of 2021.

Taylor Rattray CTV News Regina Anchor / Video Journalist

Trauma Informed Program Delivery Workshop.

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The Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society presents:

Trauma-Informed Program Delivery

Workshop for artists working with remote communities and populations who have experienced trauma.

A continuing Series

Wednesday, October 7th
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cultural Issues working with Indigenous Communities
Presenter: Dion Tootoosis

1:00 pm – 4:00pm
An Intro to Trauma-Informed Program Delivery
Presenter: John Koop Harder, MSW, RSW

Open to any Saskatchewan based artist. There is no fee to participate but space is limited and spots allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. The workshop will use the Zoom meeting platform and participants will be emailed a link to the meeting a day or two prior.
Brought to you in part by Sasktel.


To register email john@culturalexchange.ca

Dion Tootoosis

An established Educator from Poundmaker Cree Nation, Dion maintains the family reputation of perpetuating language, beliefs, values, and practices through his work in the education sector, and at cultural events as a master of ceremonies, storyteller, and Knowledge Keeper.

He is a professional teacher since 2004, Dion has worked both on-Nation, for Catholic and public-school divisions in Alberta and Saskatchewan and for Mount Royal University in Calgary teaching Science, History, Language Arts and Indigenous Studies, as well as a guest lecturer for the Indian Teacher Education Program at the University of Saskatchewan.

He now serves as Cultural Coordinator under Student & Learning Services at the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology, providing cultural and linguistic programming, curriculum development/enhancement, as well as coordinating Elder & Ceremonial support.

John Koop Harder, MSW, RSW

John has been working as a therapist and trainer for almost 20 years. He is a Registered Social Worker who holds a Master of Social Work degree. John is a co-author of our Counselling Insights book. Much of John’s career has centered on working with children, youth, adults, and families dealing with crisis and trauma.

While he has a diverse practice, he has particular interest and specialized experience in working with individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns, violence, post-war trauma recovery, gender/sexuality issues, and sexual abuse recovery.

John’s work is also informed by his international experiences working with individuals and communities impacted by civil war and ethnic conflicts in Colombia, Albania, and Northern Ireland. John believes people are their own best experts and already have many of the skills, abilities, and competencies that will assist them to address the challenges influencing their lives. John is a warm and engaging facilitator who values interactive learning experiences.

Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Venue / Programming Statement

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Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, and with the recommendations from public health officials regarding social gatherings,
The Exchange is temporarily closing our venue.
All shows and events have been postponed or canceled, effective March 16, until further notice.

We are committed to following the directives of Saskatchewan health officials and we want to do our part
to ensure that COVD-19 is curtailed as much as possible.

Staff will continue to work at The Exchange, employees have been offered the option to work at home if they choose.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as this situation evolves.

We will continue to monitor the situation and comply with all directives issued by health officials.
We will keep everyone updated through our regular communication channels and social media as needed.

Rock The North Fundraiser

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Girls Rock Saskatoon is providing program support for this initiative by Doylefest and C.A.M.P (Cultural
Arts Mentorship Programming) with additional support by Ness Creek Cultural and Recreational Society and the Sask Cultural Exchange. This summer we had several youth from Stanley Mission attend our programming and we want to provide tools and support to the community to develop their own music and art based program for empowerment! If you have put off getting a gift for someone or just like to donate during the holidays, you can contribute to this initiative, every little bit helps! https://culturalexchange.ca/camp/

Girls Rock Camp now accepting donations

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In consultation with the Woodland Cree women in Stanley Mission, Girls Rock Camp will be expanding to Northern Saskatchewan! Together we will be designing a culturally sensitive camp for women and girls that strengthens identity and self-confidence through cultural arts and music. February 17th – 22nd, 2020 will be the 1st Annual Girls Rock Camp: Rock The North, and fundraising begins today!! Be a part of history, and give the gift of music this holiday season. Donations are Tax-Deductible and come with a Printable Card that explains the project to your loved ones. Fundraising is a joint effort through Girls Rock Saskatoon, Ness Creek Cultural and Recreational Society, and Doylefest, together lets make this world a better place!!

Donate Here

2019 Sask Cultural Exchange AGM

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The Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange is pleased to invite its membership and all interested to its Annual General Meeting on November 30, 2019. Our staff and Board of Directors will be handling the business of an AGM and updating the membership on what the organization has accomplished in our 2018-2019 year.

All are welcome to attend the meeting, while voting is reserved for members of the Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange. Membership is open to anyone who resides in Saskatchewan and signs up. Sign up for our newsletter to become a member.

Saskatchewan Cultural Exchange Society
Annual General Meeting
Saturday, November 30, 2019
11 a.m.
The Club
2431 8th Avenue, Regina, SK

Meet the artists – 2019 Workshop Tour

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Eliza Mary Doyle – Bright, feisty, and fierce, this banjo playin’ troubadour of exceptional talent and vision delivers a live show with energy that goes beyond the stage with her spontaneous and contagious energy.  Eliza Doyle is an international award winning Saskatchewan artist who, together with her band, can be described as sweet as honey and raw as hide. 

Carol Rose GoldenEagle is a Saskatchewan Author of award-winning novel BEARSKIN DIARY.   Her work has been previously published using the surname of Daniels.  Carol now chooses to use her Traditional name, which has more meaning to her.  BEARSKIN DIARY is an award-winning novel,  being chosen as the Aboriginal Literature Title for 2017 by the Periodical Marketers of Canada.  It was also shortlisted for 3 Saskatchewan Book Awards in 2016.  The French language translation of this novel, entitled Peau D’ours won a Saskatchewan Book Award in 2019.

Her first book of poetry – entitled Hiraeth – was released in early 2018 (Inanna Publications).   Hiraeth was shortlisted for a Saskatchewan Book Award in 2019.   Her second novel – Bone Black– is  set to be released in 2019 (Nightwood Editions).   Her third novel – Narrows of Fear – will also be released, date tba (Nightwood 2020). She is currently working on fourth novel manuscript.  Carol is also an Aboriginal artist, multi-disciplined in the areas of writing, storytelling, singing/drumming & visual art.

On a regular basis, she enjoys performing at schools, community centres and children’s festivals across the province.  She is a published poet, short story writer and novelist.  As a visual artist, her work has been exhibited in art galleries across Saskatchewan and Northern Canada.  As a musician,  a CD of women’s drum songs, on which Carol was featured, was recently nominated for a Prairie Music Award.  Carol is Cree & Dene with roots in Sandy Bay, northern Saskatchewan.  However before pursuing her art on a full-time basis, Carol worked as a journalist for more than 30 years – working in television and radio at APTN, CTV & CBC.

Born and raised in Regina, Kate Herriot has been working on stage and in film and teaching drama in Saskatoon home since 2011. She has worked for Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Live Five Theatre, Dancing Sky Theatre, Persephone Theatre, and the Globe Theatre. Kate loves using improv and physical theatre games to encourage teamwork and outside-the-box humour. 

Danica Lorer has spent the past twenty years as a professional storyteller. She has been struck by lightning, a moose, a rogue semi-tire, vehicles, and the odd strange idea. She is a freelance writer, workshop facilitator, face and body painter, slam and page poet, and the host of Shaw Saskatoon’s literary arts program ‘Lit Happens’. She has been published in grain, antiLang, Spring, untethered, Poetry All Over the Floor, and Alice Unbound: Beyond Wonderland.