Festivities marking new life unfolded in Saddle Lake Cree Nation on Dec. 2, as community members gathered for the reserve’s first ever celebration of its babies, born in the year 2010.
Babies chew on their fathers’ shoulders, or sit content wearing Santa Claus hats in their mothers’ arms or in car seats, while presenters discuss topics such as the importance of car seats, band membership, immunization, oral/dental health, and more.
Joshalyn Brighteyes and Daphne Moses work with the Canadian Prenatal Nutritional Program with the Saddle Lake Health Care Centre, and helped organize the 2010 Baby Celebration. Brighteyes explains that people often gather at funerals to celebrate life. However, the band’s chief and council and its program directors wanted to hold an event that served the same purpose that wasn’t related to a funeral, “to bring out the positive things when the babies are born,” says Moses.
“It’s basically to let our parents know what’s out there, the resources out there,” added Brighteyes. Besides hearing from presenters and looking at information booths, families also enjoyed gift bags, door prizes, a visit and pictures with Santa Claus, and a feast.
Sammi Stone, whose sixth baby was born in September, thought the event was a great idea. “We’re here to celebrate the new beginnings of babies.” She added children are very important, since “they’re going to be here after us,” and it made sense to greet them into the community.
Moses was thrilled to see Saddle Lake’s Cultural Centre filled with family members and their babies in tow for the event. “I’m happy – it shows we’re doing a good job of keeping the community together.”
