Sweetgrass cuts the ribbon on the Wes Paskemin Memorial Water Treatment Plant

“He must have gotten an earful every day,” she added to a chorus of laughter from the audience.

Elder Hilda Pasquayak tells a story about her brother, the late Wes Paskewin. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

With family, community and dignitaries present under a bright blue sky, the grand opening of “the place where we care for the water,” named for a man who dedicated his life to providing safe drinking water to his community and loved ones, was celebrated on May 29 in joy and gratitude.

It was also the scene of a major announcement: the long-term boil water advisory that had been placed on the community while the plant was under renovations had officially been lifted.

“Access to clean water is essential to build healthy, thriving communities. Congratulations to Sweetgrass First Nation in achieving this important milestone,” said Mandy Gully-Masty, minister of Indigenous Services Canada in a statement, as read by Chief Lorie Whitecalf.

“Lifting this long-term drinking water advisory was possible due to the dedication of community leadership, working in close collaboration with Canada. Thanks to these efforts, the people of Sweetgrass First Nation will have access to clean water for generations to come.”

Chief Lorie Whitecalf speaks during the dedication on May 29. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Speaking to the audience, Whitecalf spoke about the time in 2011 when Paskemin, who served as the water treatment operator for decades and passed away in 2023, came to the newly elected chief to tell her they didn’t have a backup well.

“He said, ‘If something happens to our well, we’re hooped, we don’t have water, what are we going to do?’,” she remembered.

“I said, ‘First thing we gotta get a backup well.’”

After working through the process over the years and with about four different ministers, two years ago, things finally came to fruition.

“Wes was with us when we got that well, and he loved the community and he proved it through his work,” said Whitecalf, adding that access to clean water is more than a First Nation’s right, it is a human right.

“His dedication brought this building to us, he worked right up until he couldn’t work anymore.”

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron speaks during the dedication on May 29. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Looking out at attendees, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron gave thanks for the weather on the celebratory day.

“He would tell me over the years, ‘Bobby, water is life,’” he said, noting Paskemin also said the same of family.

“This significant day, you know it’s an honour to be here, a privilege to witness something so powerful that clean water…that some of us used to take for granted and there are still some of us that still take it for granted,” he said.

Speaking directly to Chief Whitecalf, the council and the team, Cameron said doing this work wasn’t easy.

Info plaque. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The Late Wes Paskemin. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It takes years and years and years, banging on the table, pulling your hair out, it’s just frustrating some days,” he said.

“I loved the Late Wes Paskemin, I really did. I love his family, I love everything he stood for, everything he was as an individual and as a man, as a human being,” added Cameron.

Presiding over the event as Master of Ceremonies was Kendal Netmaker and among guest speakers included Elder Walter Swindler, who opened with a prayer, Jacquelyn Conrod, director of Community Infrastructure Partnerships and Development, Greg Morrison, Project Officer, Indigenous Services Canada and Oakley Blackstar, Paskemin’s brother and an honour song was performed by Quinton Bull & Pernell Semaganis.

MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford James Thorsteinson. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

When MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford James Thorsteinson spoke, he said infrastructure projects such as the plant build a strong and vibrant community.

“Updating aging infrastructure, this project provides reliability for future generations for the residents of Sweetgrass First Nation for many years to come,” he said.

Thorsteinson said the name on the building couldn’t have been more fitting.

Oakley Blackstar, Paskewin’s brother speaks. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“His years as a main water operator here on Sweetgrass, along with his years as an insistent operator of the previous treatment plant, showed his commitment to his craft and his community,” he said.

“It’s terrific to see his name and legacy live on with this honour, and it’s terrific to see his daughter continue on with this legacy,” added the MLA, referring to the second generation of Paskewins to take over the work.

Speaking to battlefordsNOW during the community lunch, Whitecalf said the day brought happiness and joy, but it also brought her relief.

Quinton Bull & Pernell Semaganis perform an honour song. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“This was a long process, it took a lot longer than we expected,” she said, referring to construction hurdles.

She said some nights she’d lie awake and wonder how it was all going to work.

“How long are we going to be out of water in Sweetgrass? How many people is it going to affect?”

The journey was long, but at long last, residents and family finally got to cut the ribbon with oversized golden scissors.

“It made me smile knowing that he’s probably watching us like ‘Hey, finally,’” Whitecalf said.

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Sweetgrass cuts the ribbon on the Wes Paskemin Memorial Water Treatment Plant

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