Jack Kemp Community School celebrated its annual Festival du Voyageur, a lively event connecting students to Métis and Indigenous history.
Festival organizer, teacher Nicole Webb, highlights the traditions of the French-Canadian and Métis voyageurs. These fur traders played a vital role in Canada’s past and students participated in activities that showcased the voyageurs’ strength and endurance.
Read more: Kids teaching kids at Jack Kemp
“We want students to feel the adventure and challenges the voyageurs faced,” said Webb. “The students love the friendly competition, teamwork, and the chance to step into the shoes of these historic figures.”
Principal Elena Brand emphasized the festival’s importance in connecting students to their history.
“It’s important to us as a school community,” said Brand. “Many of our students have First Nations or Métis backgrounds. We’re celebrating the explorers who travelled across Canada and the culture that shaped our country.”
The festival included activities like arm wrestling, rowing and a beard-growing contest. Students also experienced portaging and mimicked the voyageurs’ journeys across rivers and land.
“We’ve done Indigenous programming earlier this year,” said Brand. “Students learned about smoking fish and trapping. This event builds on that by honouring Métis culture and the fur trade.”
A highlight was the life-sized voyageur canoe, on loan from E.S. Laird School Principal Luke Maw. Students sat inside and learned about the Hudson’s Bay Company and Northwest Company, two key players in Canada’s fur trade.
“We even have a 12-person voyageur canoe with the Hudson’s Bay Company and Northwest Company flags,” said Brand. “It’s a direct connection to Saskatchewan’s history and curriculum.”
Community support made the event even more special.
The Lloydminster Rowing Club and Lloydminster Comprehensive High School lent rowing machines for students to practice. The Lloydminster Armbender’s Arm Wrestling Club provided an arm wrestling table. Leah Boyer and the Métis18 Society organized foam axe throwing.
“The Festival du Voyageur has become a highlight of the school year,” said Webb. “It brings learning and laughter together in an unforgettable way.”
Read more: It’s Métis 101 at Jack Kemp
