School fundraiser a success

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Valentine's Day had come and gone, but romance was still in the air in Beaver Lake when they held their Sweetheart Jamboree on Feb. 21.

The event was a fundraiser for the Amisk Community School and it showcased local talent. Actor Dakota House of North of 60 fame and Cree entertainer Carl Quinn were also on hand.

People lined up to buy tickets for a chance to win one of the many items donated from the community and surrounding businesses. A 50-cent investment made people eligible to win sweatshirts, jackets, blankets, a television and picture frames. Proceeds from this event will go toward trips for the children.

Corey-Ann Pruden Morin, a jamboree committee member, said the event had strong community support. Although Valentine's Day was a week earlier, they used the Valentine's theme because other events were happening in the community during the Valentine's Day weekend.

"We were able to raise more than $3,000. I really enjoyed myself. Each staff member at the school donated an item to the event, and we also approached organizations and companies in town for items. It turned out well because we were able to get so many prizes. We continued to dance and jig and kids continued to sing. There was also singers and fiddlers and we did not finish until after two in the morning. After we paid our bills, we were able to collect $2,600," she said.

"The reason I chose Dakota House to be our speaker during this event was because he is Aboriginal and he knows the issues and the things that can happen to our youth while growing up in a small community. He is an inspirational role model, as far as I'm concerned, because he was able to grow up and become a positive role model and he also bettered himself despite the consequences he went through. And I wanted the kids to see that, so that the kids can say 'Hey, even though we are going through this in our lives, we still can make it no matter how hard it is. Regardless of where we come from and who we are, we can make it," she said.

Morin, along with committee members Darlene Collins, Margaret White Cardinal, Delores Pruden Barry and Clifford Cardinal, helped things run smoothly during the 13-hour event.

'"It was not about me and it was not about just one person. It was about all of us pulling together, including the staff at the school, just being a team, letting everyone know that we can collaborate and build something with what we have. The atmosphere in the hall was very inviting and it was the whole team that made everyone feel invited, warm and comfortable," she said.

Chief Al Lameman said that was surprised but happy to see so many people take part in the event.

"This is part of getting the community back together and it is good to see so many people here. It is a success," he said.

"I like being a part of events like this," said House. "And my being able to show the youth that education is important is great, because I believe that you cannot make it in life if you do not finish high school. When I do functions like this I like to see the children smiling and I tell them that they too can get to where they want to go but they have to go to school."

The kindergarten to Grade 9 school is attended by 137 students.