On Tuesday, June 21, 2022 – National Indigenous Peoples Day – Your McMurray Magazine launched 2022’s Indigenous Wood Buffalo edition, presented by Bouchier.
Hosted in the Bouchier room at the Fort McMurray Golf Club, nestled along the banks of the Athabasca River on the ancestral lands of the Dene and Cree peoples, and the historical land of Métis people, it was a beautiful summer solstice morning to gather together to celebrate.
With a guest list limited to official partners of the Indigenous Wood Buffalo edition, the breakfast event was the perfect opportunity to kick off all of the National Indigenous Peoples Day special events in the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region.
Hosted by Your McMurray Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Krista Balsom, guests were guided through a morning filled with traditional elements and opportunities to learn.
To start off the morning, the sounds of traditional drumming filled the room. Elder Bernadette Dumais offered the blessing, and then Krista acknowledged all of the elders, dignitaries, and special guests in the room.
Led by Executive Chef, Nate Cato, the culinary team at Fort McMurray Golf Club then presented guests with a traditionally-inspired breakfast buffet that included bison sausages, Saskatoon berry pancakes, and eggs Benedict served on bannock – popularly called “Eggs Banny”
Following the scrumptious breakfast, Nicole Bourque-Bouchier, co-owner and CEO of Bouchier, presenting partner of the edition, spoke to the crowd, sharing why Bouchier partnered in such an impactful way with Your McMurray Magazine.
Mayor Sandy Bowman then took the stage and shared with the audience what the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is doing as part of their “It’s Time” campaign, a campaign designed to move the community forward in tangible and meaningful ways of reconciliation.
Finally, guest editors Allison Flett and Jes Croucher shared some traditional teachings with the audience, a meaningful way to wrap up the morning, celebrating an edition of the magazine that was themed around the idea of “Teachings”.
As the event concluded, guests were invited to mix and mingle with the magazine contributors who were stationed around the room beside enlarged copies of their magazine spreads, including cover guest artist, Frederick McDonald.
The launch of Your McMurray Magazine’s Indigenous Wood Buffalo edition, presented by Bouchier, was a memorable and meaningful event, with lots of excited chatter about next year’s edition.
A special thank you to all of the partners who helped make this edition possible:
Presenting Partner: Bouchier
Partner: The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
Partner: Wood Buffalo Community Foundation
Arts & Culture Special Section Partner: Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism
Health & Education Special Section Partner: Clean Harbors
Community & Region Special Section Partner: Acden
Edition Partners:
- Birch Mountain Enterprises
- Fort McMurray International Airport
- APE
- Vault Enterprises
- Chipewyan Prairie Industry Relations
- FuseSocial
- Athabasca Tribal Council
- Stony Valley
- McMurray Regional Law Office
- Infinity Metis
ABOUT THE EVENT:
Strategic Event Design & Management: Balsom
Hospitality & Venue: Fort McMurray Golf Club
Catering: Bear & Buffalo at the Fort McMurray Golf Club
Decor: Cass & Nat | Flora Boreal | Printing Unlimited
Emcee: Krista Balsom
