The Western Development Museum has received two awards from Heritage Saskatchewan that recognize the organization’s efforts to promote blacksmithing and its relationship with a phone-based seniors program.
The criteria for the Living Heritage Awards are based on the goals of the 2003 UNESCO Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage. They include projects or programs that facilitate the transmission of intangible cultural heritage knowledge and skills — such as blacksmithing — from one person to another, the WDM explained.
The criteria also include projects or programs that facilitate community development like economic development activities and community well-being initiatives, often but not always related to cultural tourism and small business/entrepreneurship and creating a sense of belonging and place.
Heritage Saskatchewan honoured the WDM’s Moose Jaw branch for its participation in the Seniors’ Centre Without Walls Telephone Program. This program engages seniors over age 55 with activities and conversations from the comfort of their own homes.
The WDM Moose Jaw branch began as a guest presenter in October 2020 during the start of the pandemic, and since then, has become a regular presenter and given 23 talks on various historical topics about artifacts in the WDM collection.
“We are thrilled to receive this award! This partnership has been beneficial in supporting a connection for isolated and lonely seniors and introduced new folks to the WDM and its collection,” said Karla Rasmussen, programs manager.
“More importantly, through the sharing of their memories on each topic, this partnership has helped to share the intangible cultural heritage from the seniors’ life experience.”
Meanwhile, the WDM has offered the Introduction to Blacksmithing Course since 1988 from its corporate office in Saskatoon. Since its inception, it has taught over 120 courses with more than 1,000 people participating.
In each course, participants learn basic forging techniques, including flattening, squaring, splitting, bending and welding. Furthermore, blacksmith knowledge and skills have been documented and passed on to participants older than age 16.
“I’m delighted that Heritage Saskatchewan is recognizing the WDM Introduction to Blacksmithing program and the contributions of our dedicated team of blacksmithing instructors,” said Kristine Flynn, volunteer engagement manager.
“Our instructors embody patience, expertise, and supportiveness, all contributing to the experience people have during WDM courses and, ultimately, to the preservation of the art of blacksmithing in our province and beyond.”
Early participants of the course formed what is now the Saskatchewan Blacksmith Association, which helped build working blacksmith shop exhibits at the WDM Saskatoon and continues to promote blacksmithing and hand-forged ironwork across the province.
All four WDM locations have working blacksmith shop exhibits with volunteer ’smiths who inform and delight thousands of visitors annually.
“The WDM is proud to be preserving both the physical tools and the techniques and traditions of Prairie ’smiths and farmers, the organization added.
