Alex U.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Red River Heritage Fair

Petfroforms Ageless and Sacred

My project explores the rich history of the Bannock Point Petroform Heritage site located in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial park. Petroform’s are rocks that where placed on flat bedrock in the shapes of snakes, turtles, and geometric forms. They are considered sacred places that are still used today for ceremonies, worship, and teaching.

 

What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?

The most interesting thing that I have learnt was that these Petroforms have been around for thousands of years and how spiritual and significant they still are today.

What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?

The most important thing that I have learnt is about the spirit of the indigenous culture and how, together, we should all use the sacred teachings in our daily life. Love, respect, courage, honesty, wisdom, humility, and truth.

How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?

Life is much easier today than centuries ago when the Petroform site was created. The people then had to struggle much harder for survival. Some of their challenges where the building of shelters against the elements, hunting for food and clothing, and gathering berries and plants for medicinal purposes. Today I am fortunate to have these things readily available to me.