Out of Hibernation

Black bear at Prince Albert National Park (©2022, Deborah Clague).

A fork in the road presented itself today. Take the main highway that I was used to or the longer unknown route. It was frigid, rainy—even, at times, snowing—and the roads were pretty deserted. Few were venturing to lake country as the weather was too cold at this latitude north. But I needed a break. I needed to get out of the hibernation in my home and so I was determined, come hell or other unfavourable conditions, to make my way to Prince Albert National Park to relax, breathe in the fresh air and do some forest bathing.

I decided to take the unknown route and was met with two black bears in the span of five minutes. I put my hazard lights on and observed the first one for awhile, wild and free. Hungry after a long winter. And perhaps a bit curious.

As the bear approached my car, I slowly drove away and they followed me for a bit.

Always take the scenic route.

Bear no. 2, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2022).

Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2022).

Wood carving, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2022).

Visitor outside my cabin. About a dozen elk hung out for a bit (©Deborah Clague, 2022).

Herd of elk passing through, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2022).

On the Grid II

I used to spend a lot of time dreaming about where I wanted to be. It was always somewhere other than where I was.

Growing up on the prairies of Western Canada, it was easy to feel this way. The zeitgeist of our national identity seemed to originate from Toronto and Montreal, places where media focused their energy to showcase anything of note happening. In comparison, the prairies were sleepy. Taciturn. A landscape dotted with townships frozen in time—culturally, technologically, literally. I know that’s not true but my own misguided notions of success influenced my longing until recently.

The pandemic, and all the newly discovered free time I have as a result of it, has really underlined how much I enjoy living here. How the panoramic landscape and vibrant living skies speak to my soul. How enriching and supportive the personal and professional connections I’ve made here are. How the most helpful, kind, salt-of-the-earth people reside here. Being stationary is not falling behind; it’s holding presence. The Canadian prairies are where I want to leave my mark.

I had a week off and decided to use this time, once again, to explore the tapestry of grid roads within central Saskatchewan. I discovered some hidden gems, met a lot of cows and indulged in some delicious homemade butter tarts.

Clarkboro Ferry Crossing, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Curiosity on a lonely grid road, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague)

Former Ukrainian Catholic Ascension Church, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Relaxing on a lonely grid road, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Grain tower at Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Commercial Hotel, Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Decisions, decisions, Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

The largest tree in Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

In the shadow of a giant, the largest tree in Saskatchewan (©2021 Deborah Clague).

Out of the House, Into the Woods

Feeling a bit more protected after our first dose of Pfizer, we spent a long weekend at Prince Albert National Park exploring the trails, forest bathing, bird (and bear!) watching, and relaxing in a beautiful cabin at Elk Ridge Resort. More far-flung travel may still be on-hold but I am really looking forward to exploring the land of living skies, Saskatchewan, over the summer.

Hiking in Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

The scenery of Mud Creek trail, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Bear In Area at Mud Creek trail, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Is it? (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Yup, that’s a bear. Mud Creek trail, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Boating on Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Boating on Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Boating on Waskesiu Lake, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Waskesiu River trail, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

The peeling bark of a birch tree, Prince Albert National Park (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Out of the house and into the woods of Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

The perfect solitude of Boundary Bog trail, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Feasting on BBQ after a day’s hike at Elkridge Resort, Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Prince Albert National Park, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

On the Grid

Some scenes from a lazy afternoon spent exploring the grid roads of Saskatchewan:

Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of migratory snow geese take flight from a pond located adjacent to a grid road in rural Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Snow geese take off in flight after our car disturbed their peace (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Snow geese in flight (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Crooked Trees (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Welcome to the Crooked Bush from Friends of the Crooked Bush (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Like a scene from a fairy tale, the Crooked Trees of Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Deborah was here – The Crooked Trees, Saskatchewan (©2021, Deborah Clague).

In the bush – an abandoned house consumed by trees, rural Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Hitchin’ a ride (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Main Street, Hafford, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

7 Star Restaurant, Hafford, Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Where the buffalo roam (©Deborah Clague, 2021).

Winter City

I’m a four-season girl. I’ve grown up in a climate that had four distinct seasons and I definitely appreciate each of them, including winter. A recent polar vortex caused temperatures where I live to dip below -42 degrees Celsius (-55 degrees Celsius with the windchill!), so when it warmed up to a relatively “balmy” -14 (-24), we decided to take the opportunity to get some fresh air, go for a hike and explore life beyond the walls we’ve been surrounded by as a result of the pandemic.

Wanuskewin has been a gathering place for nomadic tribes for over six thousand years. Today, it is a designated heritage park showcasing Indigenous art and culture, as well as an active archaeological site providing context and connection to our history from present day Treaty 6 territory in Saskatchewan, Canada. It also offers a museum, restaurant featuring Indigenous cuisine, and numerous hiking trails to explore the Northern Plains.

Saskatchewan

Another new vintage travel poster design, this time showcasing the “land of living skies” (and my current home), Saskatchewan. I am hoping to eventually turn this into a series of prints representing how the spirit of the province weaves through the landscape, wildlife and culture.

And yes, the first design required a moose.

Saskatchewan (©Deborah Clague)

Impact

I recently designed the 2011-2012 SIAST Annual Report. Three alternate covers were created that each showcased an area where SIAST met the theme of "impact" including introducing new programs to meet industry demand, encouraging involvement in non-traditional careers and empowering the Aboriginal community through education. The document was wire-o bound and included silver foil on the cover. It is the piece I am most proud of during my tenure (so far):

The Eye of the Beholder

In my earlier years, I remember taking road trips with my family throughout Western Canada that could have provided inspiration for a future instalment of the Griswold's National Lampoon adventures. These vacations often signalled the end of the school year; a time I anticipated with great zeal as I was every ounce the trope of awkward, artsy young adult not relating in the slightest to my peers. I knew back then that heading across the plains through the snowy peaks of the Rockies would ultimately provide more transcendence to the narrative of my life than the typical rituals of adolescence. Except for the influence that Saskatchewan would provide. I never would have predicted how much inspiration this underrated land would provide me in my recent years. 

Saskatchewan was, back then, the most dreaded part of my journey. It representated a land of nothingness. Manitoba had trees. Alberta had mountains. Saskatchewan had...fields. Endless vistas of sky and canola or wheat or whatever was in season. Thinking about it now, this is actually why I love it. But for someone used to constant visual stimulation, it was a barren wasteland of small towns stuck in the depression era waiting for a sandstorm to erase them from memory. "What do these people do?", I would often ask myself. "What kind of life is this?"

Now I know.

I hope to impart my knowledge to the people who responded to this.

Saskatchewan residents are hard-working individuals that remain down-to-earth despite newfound wealth and prominence on the national economic front. It's not so much about keeping up with the Joneses, as it is enjoying life on your own terms, remaining humble and proud, and keeping green de rigueur every fashion season. This translates to taking time to appreciate one's surroundings and look beyond gloss and polish to witness the true beauty within epic skies and endless fields of canola. Or wheat. I'm glad I took the time to discover it. 

Pace yourself. Saskatchewan is worth stopping in. It's worth getting to know.  

Go Riders!

What a change from last year! The Saskatchewan Roughriders are on a roll with a thus far UNDEFEATED football season. Celebrate their success and show your Rider Nation pride by checking out the Melonhead app created by the SIAST Marketing and Communications team. Click here . 

go! Alumni

SIAST's go! alumni magazine is an annual publication that celebrates the achievements of alumni, staff and other stakeholders. This year I acted as Art Director on the piece designing, illustrating and concepting photoshoots. You can view go! alumni here: