PELICAN LAKE

Through its bingo operations, Pelican Lake is able to offer assistance to their community members. The Bingo provides funding primarily for youth in the areas of sports and cultural activities. The First Nation supports minor hockey teams as well as other activities for their youth such as dancing, martial arts and skating to name a few.

Another very important initiative undertaken for youth is the cultural camp they hold at Lac La Claire each summer. Youth are taught important skills like fishing, canoeing, bannock making, rabbit snaring, dry meat production and hide tanning. Community members and elders are utilized as teachers for the camp. The First Nation purchased the land at Lac La Clair through the Treaty Land Entitlement process so that they could provide cultural education to their youth and band members could go there to enjoy the outdoors.

The Bingos also assist with scholarships to students and relief of poverty to those in need. In terms of recreation, they not only cover registration and tournament fees but also assist with equipment purchases. They use Bingo proceeds to send athletes to North American Indigenous Games as well as their usual contingent to the Saskatchewan Indian Summer and Winter games. At least 30 young athletes will benefit from the Bingos.

The Pelican Lake Bingo Hall is located at Leoville, Saskatchewan and it serves communities in about a 50 kilometer radius. They offer Bingo five nights a week. The Bingo Board invites everyone out to enjoy the opportunity to support worthy causes, have fun and maybe win some money.

Board members Sidney Bill and Iona Bill