Moose Jaw’s Western Development Museum (WDM) is jumping back in time and giving seniors a chance to reflect on items that they may have used in their younger years.
“Seniors’ Time to Reminisce” takes place at the WDM on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., where the museum will share its new reminiscence kits, which have artifacts from the 1950s to the 1970s for participants to guess and about which they can share their memories.
There will also be snacks and refreshments to enjoy while viewing WDM photo albums. Seniors — and their families — can also pick up an activity book to help them explore the museum’s galleries.
Information about how to rent the reminiscence kits will be available at the event. To learn more about the event, visit the WDM’s website at wdm.ca.
Coffee Club
The WDM’s Virtual Coffee Club returns for the fall with several interesting presentations. These sessions occur on Zoom, with a speaker discussing a topic and then time for questions afterward. There is no cost to attend the meetings, but pre-registration is required.
“The program is for everyone but was originally for seniors to feel less isolated. It was originally (presented) in person, but then COVID hit, so it became virtual,” explained Alexis Jones, the programs and volunteer coordinator at the WDM.
“It’s also to bring programming to people who maybe can’t come into our museum… so people feel less isolated, and to connect,” she said. The virtual format aims to make programming at the museum more accessible.
Land acknowledgement session
Annie Battiste from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner is leading a personalized land acknowledgement workshop on Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 to 11 a.m.
In this session, participants will learn the basics of a treaty land acknowledgment, the different components across Canada that could be added, and if enough time is available, participants will be able to create their a personal acknowledgement.
Archaeological finds
Karin Steuber from the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society will offer a presentation that focuses on “changing perspectives one page” at a time on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Points of View: A Guide on Saskatchewan Projectile Points with Indigenous Perspectives is the first book of its kind for Saskatchewan. It blends Aboriginal “ways of knowing” and archaeology’s understanding of projectile points.
Commonly called arrowheads, these durable objects are a testament to indigenous ingenuity and perseverance. This book shares how these pieces of stone are works of art that connect people to the land and how their creation is a mix of skill, artistry, and science.
It also illustrates why it is important to care for these tangible touchstones of the past. This presentation will highlight the complex knowledge systems involved in making stone tools and how this book came to be.
WDM collections department
Julie Jackson with the WDM’s collections department will give a presentation on Thursday, Nov. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. about what her department does, including current acquisitions, de-accessioning guidelines and a peek into collections storage spaces.
“It’s kind of a behind-the-scenes (presentation),” Jones said, noting that participants will be “learning about accessioning and de-accessioning our collection.”
WDM exhibits department
Diana Savage with the WDM’s exhibits department will give a presentation on Thursday, Dec. 21, from 10 to 11 a.m. about what her department does, including the process of exhibit development, recent projects and a sneak peek into what’s coming up.
“We’re going behind-the-scenes for the WDM’s exhibit department. She’s talking about how they create exhibits, what upcoming exhibits are happening, and how that process works,” explained Jones.
Programming for the virtual coffee club is expected to continue through to June 2024, with further presentations to be announced around January 2024.
For more information, visit wdm.ca.
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