About Saskatchewan Heritage Fairs
The Heritage Fairs program consists of three levels: local, regional, and provincial. Students participate in their local school or community and are then chosen to advance to a Regional Heritage Fair, run by a volunteer Committee under the direction of Heritage Saskatchewan. Our current regional fairs take place in Saskatoon, Regina, and Moose Jaw.
Any Saskatchewan school is currently eligible to participate, regardless of their geography. If required, a Regional Fair may be run with only one participating school in the area. (This would have to be pre-arranged with Heritage Saskatchewan to allow for relevant spots to be held at the Provincial Heritage Fair.)
Heritage Saskatchewan aims to expand the program to include regional fairs throughout the province, but this needs to be done with support from communities and schools.
From the Regional Fairs, 50 projects (approximately 60 students) are chosen to participate in the Provincial Heritage Fair in Regina, which is run directly by Heritage Saskatchewan.
Any student in grades 4 through 8 in Saskatchewan is eligible to participate in the Heritage Fairs program.
Any teacher or homeschooling family can use Heritage Fairs to enhance their Social Studies, Science, Communication, or Language Arts classes.
Heritage is wide-reaching and promotes citizenship, stewardship, and critical thinking. The lessons learned in creating a Heritage Fairs project can be applied to multiple school subjects and will be retained throughout the students’ academic and professional careers. More than simply history, heritage encompasses all aspects of our lives. It makes us who we are.
Students from grade 4 through 8 choose their own topics in the classroom and develop a written report, a visual display and an oral presentation. Their independent research takes them deep into the topic and the challenge is picking the key points for their interpretation and telling their story.
Students are then evaluated on their research, presentation, and display, as well as their historical thinking skills for their respective grade level.
The History of Saskatchewan Heritage Fairs
In Saskatchewan, the Heritage Fairs program was operated by a volunteer-run organization called the Saskatchewan Youth Heritage Fair Association (SYHFA) for much of its 19 year history. On August 1, 2013, Heritage Saskatchewan became responsible for operation of the program. (Heritage Saskatchewan is a non-profit organisation funded by SaskLotteries through SaskCulture.) Heritage Saskatchewan has been running the Heritage Fairs program for the past six years.
Please contact our Heritage Fairs Coordinator, if you are interested in participating in this wonderful program!
General history of the Heritage Fairs program
The Charles R. Bronfman Foundation Heritage Project was started in 1993 to increase awareness of Canadian heritage and to create an exciting learning environment for students of history. This CRB Heritage Project began the Heritage Fairs Program nationwide by introducing a series of fairs in every province and territory. Management of this initiative was then taken over by the Historica Foundation, whereby the program grew substantially throughout Canada. The first-ever regional fair was held in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1993. From that small beginning, the fairs program expanded to include school and regional fairs in every Canadian province and territory and annual national fairs from Victoria to St. John’s.
In 2009, the Historica Foundation of Canada and The Dominion Institute merged to create the Historica-Dominion Institute. This marked the end of Historica involvement and the end of national fairs. Canada’s History stepped in to provide some national coordination and support for the Young Citizens program. In Saskatchewan, through the dedication of our many volunteers, the Heritage Fairs program has continued.
What has remained for Heritage Fairs throughout these changes has been the goals:
- create an environment where students are excited to learn and share;
- provide recognition for student achievement;
- celebrate cultural diversity and multiple perspectives;
- reveal connections between the past and present; and
- inspire Canadians to celebrate their place in history.
(Adapted from information provided by the British Columbia Heritage Fairs Society)
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