The Museum at Cut Knife

Ancient Trail from Eagle Hills to Manitou Lake Mapped

2013-04-07T10:01:00.002-07:00

2013.002.1

Lloyd How's interest in local history and archeology is reflected in a new acquisition to our archives.
Ancient trails crisscrossed this country mapping the routes that were used by the First Nations, the European explorers, the North West Mounted Police and then the immigrants that followed. One such trail crossed the lands that Lloyd and his wife, Noreen, lived on before they retired to the town of Cut Knife. They both grew up seeing the evidence of the trail as indentations in the prairie soil and recognizing that it is disappearing.
This ancient trail was used by the local River Cree as they travelled from the area where the Battle and Saskatchewan Rivers joined at the Eagle Hills (Battleford) to Manitou Lake, Sounding Lake and further into Alberta. These lakes are considered sacred by the First Nations and were often visited via the trail.
Anthony Henday used this trail in 1745 as he made his way through what is now Western Canada.
Along the trail are many areas that were used for centuries for camping, hunting and trapping.
Lloyd consulted local Cree elder, Wally Simaganis, written historical accounts, and locals who remembered seeing the trail. Then he spent countless hours exploring and mapping.
Thank you, Lloyd and Wally, for all of your work in the mapping of this ancient trail to keep alive stories of this corridor and the fading memories of those who walked or rode along it.

Guest Post: Radical Collaboration - Tools for Partnering with Community Members

2013-02-21T07:00:00.001-08:00

Here are some good ideas for Partnering with Community.

Guest Post: Radical Collaboration - Tools for Partnering with Community Members

Sask Lotteries

2012-09-27T13:49:00.001-07:00

Just a little reminder to keep buying lottery tickets. Strong support ensures Sask Culture of the funding monies used to support the many cultural institutions and activities throughout Saskatchewan.
And as a bonus,you could be lucky and win a jackpot. Who wouldn't like to be Sask's newest millionaire?

Tomahawk Park Reservations

2012-09-25T12:51:00.004-07:00

The Tomahawk Campground is now under the administration of the Town of Cut Knife.
Please contact the Town Office for information and reservations.
www.townofcutknife.ca
Town Office: 306-398-2363

New Blog for Sask Museum

2012-09-18T13:05:00.001-07:00

Check out the new blog
www.cuparmuseum.blogspot.com
It showcases some very interesting videos of the people and town of Cupar.

Projectile Points with Cultural Perspective Workshop

2012-09-07T20:20:00.001-07:00

It was an interesting day of exploring new perspectives of the topic of Projectile Points.
The points in our museum's collection were somewhat overlooked in the past, positioned on a board in a pretty pattern reminiscent of mosaic tiling and not revealing much of their past.
Workshop leader, Audrey Drever, inspired us to use them as the beginning of relationships, storytelling, programming and exhibits that will educate and illuminate.
Those little pieces of stone are not destined to be mosaic pieces much longer.

Summer Is Over

2012-08-31T12:20:00.001-07:00

This is the last official day for our summer staff, Brandi and Megan. They have worked very hard on building maintenance and exhibit construction. As well they have cleaned and cleaned.
They survived the crazy Centennial weekend, met a lot of visitors and gave some tours.
They can look back on the summer work with pride. Well done, ladies!

Summer Visitor Feedback

2012-08-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

Our museum tries to encourage our visitors give us feedback on the museum, internet sites and the park. We've tried surveys but they don't work out that well because few people like to fill out forms of any kind. Also it means remembering to ask them to fill one out! It is so easy to forget.

So when someone volunteers some feedback, it makes it much more special and real. The following message and link arrived by e-mail recently.

"We had the distinct pleasure of visiting your fine town, touring your museum and spending one night in your awesome campground. I mentioned our experience in my blog titled: "Largest Tomahawk in the World!" I hope you enjoy the story. http://susanbraveheart.blogspot.com/

I've let my family and friends know about you. We really enjoyed our stay.

Best wishes, Susan and Frank in Campbell River"

This made our day! Guess we are doing something right.

Geezers on Wheezers

2012-07-30T18:17:00.001-07:00

What a great name!
This group of travelers on vintage motorbikes came today to see the museum and the 1885 Battle of Cut Knife Creek site. They are visiting other sites in Sask as well.

Our Museum and Sustainability

2012-07-06T17:54:00.001-07:00

A copy of the new MAS publication 'Museums and Sustainability' arrived this week and it reminded me of how much our museum re-uses and re-purposes in our exhibit designs.
For example our Centennial Quilt Exhibit was displayed on clothing racks that were a donated from a business that no longer needed them. Some quilts were displayed over church pews. Some were on office dividers which were also donated by a business.
The photography display is on panels from the local art club, old doors hinged together, and a case gifted from former residents. And you know what, it all looks pretty darn good!
That is just in one building. I could list similar items in every one of our buildings. Seldom do we throw anything away. It gets re-used if at all possible. No, we don't have shiny new display cases, but our stories are still being told with less overhead than starting from scratch every time.
We make do with what we have or can afford which is very much like what our prairie predecessors have done for the past century.

Centennial Weekend Results

2012-07-03T10:24:00.001-07:00

Thanks to those who donated to the Silent Auction ($1000 raised). There were 26 bricks sold over the two days and lots of publications and other sales items were purchased. This will help us complete some more improvements at the museum, park and archives.

Day One Was Picture Perfect

2012-07-01T05:52:00.001-07:00

The sun shone on Cut Knife Centennial events yesterday. The parade, trade show, photo montage and lots of visiting was enjoyed by all.
We had a sneak peek at the play and it was great!

It's Quiet For Now...

2012-06-29T07:35:00.001-07:00

Early morning in the park finds it calm. Three huge motor homes traveling through from Quebec are quietly leaving. Note: we found out yesterday that our co-manager, Colleen, communicates in French! Un peu!
The atmosphere in the park will soon change to FRENZY!

SCAA Meeting

2012-06-23T16:21:00.001-07:00

The Annual meeting of Sask Archives and Archivists was at Cut Knife today. People who are dedicated to preserving our written and pictorial heritage. I love the meeting of creative minds and exciting ideas. Nothing boring about archivists.

Friends of Tomahawk Park Landscaping Begins

2012-06-21T18:22:00.001-07:00

Tree World from Battlefords rolled in about noon and made a good start on the new area in the park. They will be back tomorrow to start laying the bricks. It's going to look great.

A Little Reminder

2012-06-19T13:53:00.001-07:00

I had an appointment and shopped in North Battleford yesterday for supplies for upcoming Centennial.
We try to shop in Cut Knife as much as possible but some things just aren't available here.
One of the items needed was a new Saskatchewan flag. No flag was found in NB. And I asked in quite a few places. Canadian Tire has Canada and Quebec flags in their system. I know because I have their smart phone app and checked on it.
There are Roughrider flags galore. One sales person told me that it WAS the Sask flag. :(
Today I went into T&T Hardware in Cut Knife and there was the Sask flag I searched for 30 miles away.
Makes one think that Sask promotion and patriotism might be a little too focussed on sporting events?

Training Day

2012-06-15T18:31:00.001-07:00

There is so much info that needs to be shared with new employees every year. Colleen took it all in today and is even willing to come back tomorrow. I guess even the loud alarm that yours truly set off wasn't too scary for her. I had one of my senior moments and needed to try three codes before I remembered the correct one.
Oops.

Museum Cleaners Enjoy Tubular Steaks

2012-06-14T17:33:00.001-07:00

Museum cleanup today. Volunteers take time out to dine in the Duvall House.

Sales shop expansion

2012-06-14T15:44:00.001-07:00

Another awesome volunteer, Gale Stonehouse, took on the Sales Shop this year. It is full of local crafts made by local people and other items that campers might need. Joanne Maze pitched in today too to get it all organized.

Flower Power

2012-06-09T22:34:00.001-07:00

We are going to have lovely flowers in the park again this summer because someone volunteered to buy the plants and plant them. It is so great when someone sees a need and just goes ahead and does it. Thank you, Betty.
Not forgetting the others who mow (Bob) and keep an eye on the flower beds and shrubs (Michelle), and probably others who have not made themselves known.

New Map Case for Our Archives

2012-06-06T09:48:00.001-07:00

Thanks to Sask Council of Archives and Archivists and Sask Culture through Sask Lotteries for the Institutional Grant funding to help us with a storage unit for our oversized photos, maps and artwork. It is awesome!

Long Days of June

2012-06-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

The countdown for the Cut Knife Centennial Celebration looms ever closer. I can finally see the end of our Museum's projects. The Walking Tour Signage is being printed. The old photos have been printed and mounted on foam board. We just need captions attached. Courtney is working on the current photos.
I wish we had more candidates for summer staff. Every year is different in the hiring process. This year apparently the young people of the area do not want to work at the museum. Too bad as we have three approved YCW positions. Can anyone tell me why we are not getting applications?
Next week will be museum cleanup.

MAS Conference and AGM at Melfort

2012-06-01T19:50:00.001-07:00

One comes to these conferences for many reasons. One of the best reasons is for the visiting with people. Hearing about other museums and art galleries in Sask and what they are doing is so interesting and educational.
The willingness to share is most impressive.
Technology can be scary for some people. I wonder how many of the small rural museums will want to or be able to adapt to these changes?
It just takes one volunteer willing to start the process. Right, Elizabeth?

2012-05-29T18:27:00.000-07:00

This is a clipping from the Cut Knife Grinder in the 1920's. I found it amusing that Mr. Phillips decided to have such a drastic career change. From accountant/bank teller to the much more exciting village policeman, dog catcher and tax collector.
I wonder what the reporter meant when he said that he hoped Mr. Phillips wouldn't try and catch dogs with his new car??

Cut Knife Centennial Questions

2012-05-29T06:27:00.002-07:00

We have been having inquiries about the Cut Knife Centennial and what is planned for the days of June 30th and July 1st.
The museum is working on a walking tour of the business area of town that tells of the businesses that occupied the lots for the past 100 years. You will be able to do that on your own as signage is posted for you to read as much or as little as you like.

There is a new photography display in the Museum's Carruthers Church with lots of old photos of Cut Knife over the past 100 years as well as a group of present day photos taken by Courtney Waldner of CKHS. Intermixed will be some of our heritage quilts that we have in our collections. Bring your stories of memories of Cut Knife as we want you to share!!

In the Exhibits building we will be having slideshow of the Faces of Cut Knife at the top of the hour (i.e. 9:00 am, 10:00 am, etc), every hour that the museum is open. Our archives has many photos of the residents of Cut Knife and area from over the years. Come and see faces of those who have been in the area.

The museum buildings will be open both days from 9 am to 5 pm for you to browse through and recall or learn the stories of our Cut Knife heritage.

There will be a Silent Auction at the museum with 5 copies of the first edition of Where the Cut Knife Waters Flow. This book is out of print and very hard to find. Help us to raise money for the museum and archives by bidding on them. If you have any item that you would like to donate to the museum to add to the silent auction, please phone 306-398-2345 and we will get back to you asap.

We will have a table at the Culture Fair on Saturday with some information on our Archives and some of our recent publications for sale. Hope to see you there.

For more up to date general information, check out the Facebook Page that the Centennial Committee has set up from time to time.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cut-Knife-Centennial-Celebration-2012/253240521381382