Acknowledgements - Explore Saskatchewan Agriculture

There are MANY people who contributed to the development of this website, and we would like to extend our appreciation to our development team.

Development Team

Chantel Heintz

Project Manager

About Chantel

Sara Shymko

AITC-SK Executive Director

About Sara

Lesia Karalash

Illustrator

About Lesia

John Harstone

Web Designer & Developer

About John

Mike McKenna

Illustrator

About Mike

Key Contributors

We would like to sincerely thank the following people for contributing to the website by writing content, fact-checking, sourcing photos, editing graphic elements, developing activities, and writing lessons.

Paige Pister – Writer
Greg Torwalt – Writer
Leah Hermanson – Writer
Kelsie Buckingham – Writer
Jayden Kay – Writer
Susan Jorgensen – Writer
Chandra Gusikoski – Communications
Emma McNulty – Lesson Plan Developer
Katherine Peterson – Graphic design Support
Dena Lamb – Activity Creator
Karina McCoshen – Proofreader
Arcana Creative – Development of Phase 1

Indigenous Advisory Committee

Our sincere appreciation and gratitude is extended to the following people who provided us with knowledge, guidance, and support to ensure the Indigenous story is being told through their words and images. Miigwetch, Kinanâskomitin, thank-you.

Teacher Review Committee

We may be experts in a lot of things, but only teachers who are in the classroom day in and day out can tell what is truly needed in a resource. To the following teachers who provided feedback on the website, shared opinions from their students, and gave suggestions for activities – we are very grateful!

Kathy Spence
Nicole Freeden
Susan Muir
Shauna Matyko
Shelly Brandsetter
Susan Muir
Wendy Lazarou
Kari Anderson
Marc Siemens
Melissa Koroll

Content Reviewers

Carol LaFayette-Boyd
Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum (SACHM)

Connie Achtymichuk
Government of Saskatchewan Crops and Irrigation Branch, Ministry of Agriculture

Joe Wu
Regina Chinese Canadian Association (RCCA)

Katherine Gilks
Heritage Saskatchewan

Kristin Catherwood
Heritage Saskatchewan

Chantel Heintz

Keeping this project on track was no easy feat with so many people and steps involved but Chantel managed to do so!

Chantel grew up on a mixed farm in southern Saskatchewan and always felt it was the neatest experience. She got to experience the hard work that goes into producing the food that feeds the world. Chantel is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Commerce. She loves eating well and cooking with quality ingredients and appreciates every farmer that is working hard to provide the wide variety of foods that we are so fortunate to have access to. She believes we feel so much better when we’re feeding our bodies with good food, but the starting point for this journey is to know where our food comes from. And that’s where Agriculture in the Classroom comes in - to inspire kids to learn about the importance of agriculture and its impact locally and globally. Chantel now lives in Calgary, Alberta and is a proud wife to Cam, and a mother of three sweet kids: Bennett, Sullivan, and Quinn. She loves sharing her passion of cooking, baking, growing indoor plants, doing house projects, exploring her own local backyard, and staying active with her family.

Sara Shymko

It was a dream of Sara’s to develop a children’s website for many years. What started as a small two-month project turned into a major website that she hopes will be an essential learning tool for students for many years!

Imagining the possibilities, creatively solving problems, and exuberantly sharing her passion for agriculture education are the driving forces behind Sara’s leadership. Since 2006, Sara has been the Executive Director of Agriculture in the Classroom SK. In that time, she has been privileged to work with amazing people who share her excitement for agriculture and strong work ethic. Growing up on a mixed farm near Jasmin, Saskatchewan was instilled in her a deep connection to the land, the animals, and the environment we live in. Today, Sara lives in Saskatoon with her partner, Marty and together they attempt to parent two totally different and equally wonderful daughters, Alex and Jordyn. She is an active community member; you can find her at football field in summer and the Arena in winter.

Lesia Karalash

The colourful illustrations found throughout this website were the work of Lesia Karalash.

Lesia is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer based in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Her work is heavily influenced by her natural surroundings, female empowerment, and social justice. Lesia has worked with AITC for several years, creating dynamic illustrations that bring life to educational resources and helping to build the Little Green Thumbs school garden brand. To see more of her work, visit lesiadawndesign.com

John Harstone

John’s technical expertise and “no problem is unsolvable” attitude was crucial to the website being interactive and exciting for students.

His background is marketing, but his passion is all things creative. John freelances as a full spectrum Graphic Designer, Animator, Photographer, Videographer, and front/backend Web Designer. He has had the pleasure of creating visuals for Saskatoon JazzFest, 2020 Virtual Pride YXE, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Mayor Charlie Clark's campaign and many projects he is passionate about being involved with.

Mike McKenna

To bring authenticity and accuracy to support the Indigenous information on the site, many of the illustrations on the First Nations and Metis sections were created by Mike McKenna.

Michael ‘Mike’ McKenna is an Ojibwe-Métis visual artist, writer and graphic designer currently living in Regina, Saskatchewan, Treaty 4 Territory. He is also the son and wascapios or knowledge keeper of Elder Betty McKenna. Both he and his mother are members of the Bear Clan. He often assists her in traditional ceremonies and storytelling. 2019 Mike was able to reach a level as a knowledge keeper where he can give traditional teachings on sage, tobacco ties, and Métis symbolism. Mike has a lifelong passion for the visual arts and aspired to be a professional artist from a very young age. In 2015 Mike graduated from the University of Regina with a double major in drawing and painting. Since then, Mike has completed murals for the city of Regina and for the Regina Public School Board. As a graphic designer, Mike has provided graphics, Illustrations and book covers for several organizations, publishers and authors. In 2019, Mike became one of the very few Indigenous professional comic book artists in North America when he signed on with Lev Gleason/Comic House, where he is still writing and illustrating comics today. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mike attended the Centre for Distance Education, an online post-secondary program where he received his graphic design certificate in early 2021. As an Indigenous person, Mike enjoys storytelling through various artistic mediums from drawing, painting to digital and interactive works. He wants to develop unique ways to share his cultural knowledge in a respectful way.

Betty McKenna

Elder Betty McKenna is Anishinaabe, born in Opaswayuk (The Pas) Manitoba, her family reserve is Sapotaweyak. She follows the traditions of her people, speaks her traditional language and conducts numerous ceremonies and gathers medicines. Elder Betty is an author of several peer-reviewed publications and editor of the book “Listening to The Beat of Our Drum.” She is very passionate about Indigenous health, education and returning people to their traditional practices and languages, which shows in her work history. She serves on many research projects and is a lecturer at the First Nations University of Canada and Luther College in Regina. She is currently the first Resident Elder of The Mackenzie Art Gallery and recently became the Resident Elder of the Canadian Aboriginal Aids Network. She is also an Elder in Virtual Residence to Canadian Virtual Hospice. Elder Betty currently serves as the guiding Elder to RESOLVE Research and Education for Solutions to Violence and Abuse. She also serves as the Guiding Elder to Morningstar Lodge, Institute of Indigenous People's Health-Canadian Institutes of Health Research (IIPH), guiding Elder to IGNITE Adult Learning Corporation and she is an Elder in Regina Public Schools. Her previous roles include; serving on The Saskatchewan College of Physicians and Surgeons, serving as a Saskatchewan Police Commissioner and served on the Elders National Advisory of Corrections Canada. She has been recognized for her work and received numerous awards over the years, these include; The Excellence in Health Award, The Wakamow Valley Award of Distinction for Conservation of Prairie Plants, The Sovereigns Award for Volunteers.

Dale Wourme

Dale Worme is from the Kawacatoose First Nation, #88, Touchwood Agency Tribal Council, Treaty 4. Dale grew up with his grandfather on the Kawacatoose First Nation; his grandfather stressed the importance of education because of what he considered his “lack of western education” and his ability to deal with the Indian Agent. Dale went on to receive his post-secondary education, a Bachelor of Science in Geology, at the University of Regina. He has been employed by various natural resource companies and with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. During the last part of his career in Agriculture, Dale also farmed on the Kawacatoose First Nation. Dale believes many First Nations still practise an education that is rooted in their local environment - the culture, the economy, music, and history of their communities. It is place-based; based on direct experience and reflection which increases knowledge, develops skills, clarifies values, and develops a person's capacity to contribute to their communities.

Kari Anderson

Kari Anderson was raised on George Gordon First Nation. Growing up, her family had a small horse ranch and, of course, a large garden. They were a family of farmers, and she grew up hauling bales and driving the tractor. Kari is now a teacher in Regina and lives with her husband, two children and Mom on an acreage. A bit smaller than the farm but they are very happy with our little piece of land that helps us stay connected. Kari is always looking to include her Indigenous culture in her teaching and her life. To Kari, staying connected to the land helps her stay balanced.

Ken Bear

Raised on Ochapowace First Nation, Ken is married, a father and has always felt a deep connection to the land. Ken attended Saskatchewan Indian Federated College and later transferred to the University of Saskatchewan, College of Agriculture and graduated in May 2000 with a BSA in Agronomy. Ken has been a professional agrologist since 2001. Ken is passionate about helping Indigenous youth realize that agriculture has many opportunities and can provide a career pathway.

Ian Wourme

From Kawacatoose First Nation, Treaty 4, Ian received a Bachelor of Education in 2010 and a Master of Public Administration in 2021. Ian is a proud father of 2 daughters and believes that fostering a connection to the land is vital to instilling independence, pride and identity, i.e. hunting, fishing, ceremonies, language, camping and horticulture. Being in education for over 10 years, one can see the difference in behaviours between the classroom to outdoors. There is so much to be learned from the land and our connection to the land that feeds us. The land will teach and guide you, as long as you are patient and observant.

Development Team

Chantel Heintz

Project Manager

Sara Shymko

AITC-SK Executive Director

Lesia Karalash

Illustrator

John Harstone

Web Designer & Developer

Mike McKenna

Illustrator

Key Contributors

Indigenous Advisory Committee

Elder Betty Mckenna

Dale Wourme

Kari Anderson

Ken Bear

Ian Worme

Teacher Review Committee

Content Reviewers

Chantel Heintz

Sara Shymko

Lesia Karalash

John Harstone

Mike McKenna

Betty McKenna

Dale Wourme

Kari Anderson

Ken Bear

Ian Wourme