A scene from the documentary on Red Pheasant Arena. (One Five Five Films/Vimeo)

By Derek Craddock

RED PHEASANT ARENA

‘A big thing for our community’: Documentary film highlights the Red Pheasant Arena

Mar 16, 2023 | 4:29 PM

An arena in Red Pheasant Cree Nation was front and centre in a new documentary from a Saskatchewan filmmaker.

The First Nation south of North Battleford recently made upgrades to its arena which hasn’t been used since before the COVID-19 pandemic started.

The documentary highlighting the journey of renovating the arena was produced by One Five Five Films, an independent company from Moose Jaw.

The owner and director, Pete Kolopenuk, said he enjoyed filming the journey for Red Pheasant.

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“My company kind of takes pride in promoting Indigenous success,” he said. “It’s always awesome to come up there and work with those awesome people.”

Kolopenuk occasionally works with Red Pheasant Cree Nation and nearby Mosquito Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation. On Wednesday, Kolopenuk released the short film, Tatanka Oyate “Buffalo Nation”, telling the story of returning Bison to the First Nation.

Kolopenuk has also produced live sporting events for the communities including chuck wagon races and the Red Pheasant Winter Fest.

Meanwhile, Cody Benson, the Band Manager for Red Pheasant said the community was grateful for One Five Five telling the story of their arena.

“(To) highlight the progress, where the community did their upgrades in the arena and kind of an overview of the whole community and the events going on.”

He added they’re looking to hold annual fundraisers to help with ongoing improvements to the arena, so that kids in the community can have a place to go to, especially in the winter.

“We’re able to help when kids need help and create something for the community to be proud of and create something that’s going to be there for a long time,” he said.

“This is keeping them from getting into trouble, having somewhere to go, something for them to do in the evenings.”

Benson said they recently held events where they taught kids in the community the basics of skating and hockey, with up to 35 kids participating.

He said the arena means a lot to the First Nation and its members.

“It’s a big thing for our community. Before COVID was the last time it was open. Just to have it open this year is a big thing for us.”

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com