Philomene Chaboyer says she is proud of her community of Cumberland House and hopes for an even better future as the northern village celebrates its 250th anniversary.
Cumberland House is Saskatchewan’s oldest permanent settlement. CBC attended the community’s three-day celebration, which wrapped up Tuesday.
For Chaboyer, browsing the local museum, unveiled in the community after years of efforts, was an emotional ride down memory lane.
Although the 90-year-old elder was impressed by the displays and donated artifacts, there was a tinge of concern. Philomene is worried that her mother tongue, Swampy Cree, will also soon be no more than an addition to archives.
Keeping the past alive
Philomene is among the oldest of Cumberland House’s approximately 2,000 members, who live both on and off reserve. She said only a quarter of the population still speaks Swampy Cree.
Richard McKenzie, who a Cree …