â–º Listen Live

The great teepee race

The bragging rights from the competitive spirit is driving some middle schoolers to excel at setting up a teepee in record time.

For National Indigenous Peoples Day, kids from ES Laird and some from Bishop Lloyd held a

Grade 9s from ES Laird and Bishop Lloyd raced to see which team could put up the fastest teepee. [Photo: Clint Chocan, supplied]
fun face off to see which team could get their teepee erected first, with judging from LPSD educator Clint Chocan.

For a first time effort the group of ES Laird students led by Ryder Rachinski brought the win home. She says their original time was 26:36 minutes but with time added on for deductions they were scored at 30:34 minutes.

“Our motivation today was just to win pride for our school. We needed to win; all the

bragging rights. So now our school ES Laird set up the fastest teepee for the year.”

Bishop Lloyd with deductions finished in 30:36 minutes.

Chocan explained that the scoring was based on the distance from the ground to the bottom of the teepee, the spacing between poles, the tightness of the canvas as well as that of the rope at the top, teamwork and the direction which the doorway faces.

“In Cree culture, most of our events and ceremonies that we follow, always follow the sun. And most ceremonies begin to the south and the door is always facing the south.”

With the school year widening down, the overall enthusiasm of the students like Rachinski was evident as they celebrated the learning on the day.

“I think it’s just kind of special to bring awareness to the people that were here before us and I think it’s really cool that we are able to come here and do some hands-on activities and really just embrace the culture that was here before us.”

Gerry Lampow
Gerry Lampow
Gerry has lived in Lloydminster since winter 2010. That detail is important as coming from the Caribbean he did not see green grass until May. Now an Alberta/Western Canada resident, you would be hard-pressed to find a stronger proponent of Lloydminster than the news guy that appreciates a healthy dose of rock music and dress code leather. His mantra is focus on one thing and do it well.
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Lloydminster RCMP seek help to find missing person

Lloydminster RCMP are asking for your help to find 45-year-old Jennifer Dillon. Jennifer was reported missing on June 28, 2025. Her family have not heard from her in the last couple months and are concerned for her well-being.

LRHG seeks board member

It's a chance to use your talent and give back to the community where housing needs are concerned as a board member-at-large with the Lloydminster Region Housing Group (LRHG).

Heat Warning in effect for Lloydminster and area

Heat Warning - Temperatures reaching 29 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 14 degrees Celsius are expected for the next 2 days.

Have your say in Lloydminster Budget 2026 priorities

With themes like Engage Today - Shape Tomorrow, Investing in a Sustainable Future, and Your Tax Dollars at Work, the City of Lloydminster is inviting you to chime in on the next municipal budget.

Lloydminster spending $150K to get housing projects shovel-ready

Lloydminster City Council is devoting $150,000 to get emergency, transitional, social and affordable housing projects ready to proceed.
- Advertisement -