Kihiw Waciston School on Muskeg Lake Cree Nation consists of approximately 84 students from kindergarten to Grade7.
Grade 5 student Kamron Greyeyes-Burns was the winner of a SaskEnergy poster contest and the school's name was drawn for the barbecue event.
SaskEnergy held a 'call before you dig' poster contest for their annual safety calendar. The contest welcomed submissions from students of natural gas supplied First Nation schools.
"One thousand one hundred entries were received from 18 different schools," explains Jo-Anne Rud of SaskEnergy Customer Solutions. "Those schools with over 70 per cent participation were entered into a draw for either a community barbecue event or an individual barbecue. Kihiw Waciston School was the lucky first place recipient of the barbecue event."
SaskEnergy provided a healthy lunch to the students, staff and community members with hamburgers, hot dogs, raw vegetables and dip, watermelon and juice or water served. Hassen Hendous enjoyed his position of cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs on SaskEnergy's special events barbecue.
Principal Rick Selvig opened the afternoon presentation by commending the students for proceeding to lunch in an orderly and respectful manner and for displaying respect towards the guests.
Connie Parisien assistant manager of aboriginal relations was one of the judges who travelled to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation to participate in the event and present Kamron with her framed poster.
"Thank you for taking the time to participate," commented Parisien. "There was a lot of great artwork and great thoughts that came from this contest."
Class teachers for the split Grade 4/5 class are Beth Gardipy and Jessica Moneo. Ms Gardipy was instrumental in raising awareness and increasing school participation in the contest, which provided the opportunity for the school to win the event. The school's desired goal is to obtain 100 per cent participation for the 2011-12 school year.
Another highlight of the afternoon was the celebration of Kamron's 11th birthday. Many enjoyed the delicious cake that was provided by the family.
