Miriam Cook demonstrates how to make mittens out of hide. (Submitted photo/Charlie Cook)

By Derek Cornet

First Nations

SMVS Culture Days moves online with video series

Aug 21, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many events to adapt to a new normal and Cultures Days hosted by Senator Myles Venne School (SMVS) Recreational Coordinator Charlie Cook is no different.

He received a $5,000 grant by Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District to host the program, which includes learning how to make a number of items such as beaver hide mitts, dream catchers and beaded keychains. While such a learning opportunity would typically occur in-person at a single location, this year participants are being encouraged to learn via online videos.

“I’m trying to get it all done in four weeks, but the videos will be there, so people will have all the time they need to finish their projects,” Cook said. “The seats have been filling up really fast. The thing is getting the stuff to the people because of COVID-19 and getting all the packages is time consuming.”

For the month of August, Cook has been uploading a series of videos on the SMVS, Tri-Community Talk and Bell’s Point Elementary School News Bulletin Facebook pages. He’s expecting the beaver hide mitts videos, which feature his mother Miriam Cook, will take 10 to 15 segments in all. His sister Samantha Cook-Roberts is featured in the other videos creating a number of smaller items.

While some of the classes like the beaver hide mitts are already full, Cook encourages readers who see his social media posts to join others that could be open. He said the classes and materials are free to anyone residents in the tri-communities.

Riderville

Now for the Hard Part

8h ago

Seniors Scene

Christmas is Coming

Dec 09, 2025

Grey Cup!!!

Everything you wanted and more

Nov 21, 2025

Miriam Cook leads to beaver hide mitts videos. (submitted photo/Charlie Cook)

Samantha Cook-Roberts leads the videos featuring items like keychains and dream catchers. (submitted photo/Charlie Cook)

“A lot of our arts are getting lost and I’d like to keep it going for our people,” Cook said. “It’s all free. When you see my posts, throw your name in there. It doesn’t matter how old you are, colour, race, it doesn’t matter. Join us and learn some Cree culture.”

All videos will remain online after the program concludes for anyone who wants to learn on their own another time.

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno