The dry stonewalling project at Saugeen First Nation of Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) was back again this year after a COVID hiatus.
Dean McLellan, who lives in Holstein, ON leads the project and is the primary instructor. He is only one of six people in North America with the designation ‘Master Stone Craftsman’ and says that the project has attracted international interest with other stonemasons who have volunteered for the chance to work on-site. ”This project is one of the most exciting I’ve ever been involved in,” says McLellan. “There is nothing like this site anywhere in the world. It is incredible and there are other stonemasons who are volunteering to come here just for the chance to work on it.”
Some of the stone has been recycled from the amphitheatre with large amounts of it donated by Upper Canada Stone of Madoch (ON). Owner Perry Hartwick said that he was pleased to be able to help the project. “This is amazing and to be part of it is great. I drove from Madoch to watch some of the re-building by the men.”
This year, two instructors, Cuthbert (Bert) Noble and Simon Morphatt made the trip from the UK along with Seth Bullock and Brian Fairfield who came from Maine.
“These instructors are world-renowned,” said McLellan. “We are a very small group and there are few Master Craftsmen in the world.”
The project will take several years to complete although the amphitheatre portion is getting closer to completion. Saugeen Times has been following the project for several years … Part 1 and Part 2.
Dry stonewalling is a process that has long been used throughout the UK and Europe over centuries. It involves the precise fitting of stones together in a ‘building block’ system that uses no mortar. Each year, when being tested for certification, the existing wall is torn down, becomes a pile of rubble and the men have to re-build it within a limited time-span.
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The site refurbishment is not only restoring the amphitheatre stonework but is also teaching men of Saugeen First Nation, the skilled trade as stone masons. Several have already achieved initial stages of certification and are now working in the industry travelling through North America on various projects.
The program this year ran from July 7th – 10th. Friday included a day-long class for individuals who came from throughout southwestern Ontario to learn more about dry stonewalling. Shari Shantz of Elmira and her daughter, Lori Martin, worked side-by-side learning the craft. Shantz is a nurse while daughter Lori is a masonry teacher in the trades at Conestoga College.
Others that came to learn were father and son team, Bob Schaus and son Chris Henry. Henry who lives in London (ON) joined his father Schaus, who lives in Hanover and is a bricklayer by trade but had never worked in dry stonewalling.
Jay Paul of Brampton, and former teacher and now artist, Akke Stretch of Kitchener and who summers on Saugeen leased land, also joined the crew.
McLellan judged two categories, amateur and the professional instructors, based on a wide variety of factors that included depth of stone, straightness of line, time involved, strength of stone placement and attitude. “There is a lot involved when it comes to dry stonewalling to ensure that the strength of the wall is integral. There are walls in the UK that have been there for literally a thousand years and are still standing.”
Some of the prizes were awarded
The Saugeen project relies on government grants for funding and, each year, must be applied for. “We don’t know what will happen next year,” added McLellan. “Hopefully, funding will come through because this is such an important program for the men and to create employment.”
