Teepee to be centre of culture and history

The blessing of a new teepee at Christina Lake . Photo Erin Perkins.

A teepee has been chosen to be the focus of a children`s cultural program in Christina Lake this summer.

Earlier this month the Boundary Museum, community volunteers and local aboriginal elder Teresa Rickman, erected the canvas-sided structure in the forest along the backside of the Christina Lake Welcome Centre.

The teepee, which was purchased by the Boundary Museum and a private donation, will be up until the end of August. Every Friday from 10 a.m. to noon staff from the Boundary Museum will be offering culturally-based activities for kids in the teepee.

The first Friday was held in mid-July and centered around the history of the Sinixt people who did live in the Christina Lake area.

``I think this is a good idea,`` said Alia Popoff, education assistant with the museum.``(The children) will have more of an understanding of different cultures in Canada and especially those found in Grand Forks and Christina Lake.``

Both Popoff and Robin Sandhu, the education coordinator for the museum, also plan on exploring their own histories with the children. Popoff is Doukhobor and Sandhu is of an East Indian decent.

To pre-register for the museum day call the front desk of the Christina Lake Welcome Center at 250-447-2504. The Boundary Museum is also hosting daily activities in their Grand Forks location all summer called Event a Day. For more information contact the museum at www.boundarymuseum.com .