Public sees first-hand the historic dry-stone walling project at Saugeen First Nation

The ‘Wallers’ continue their dry-stone walling artistry at the Saugeen First Nation’s amphitheatre and, on Friday March 25th, the public had the opportunity to view their work first-hand.

                    Fish art created with slate pieces from Quebec, Vermont and Scarborough

The event was organized by Saugeen First Nation to invite the public to see the work that is being undertaken at the historic site.

  (R) Bruce County Museum’s Exec. Dir. Cathy McGirr and Program Coordinator                      Evan Vatri listen as Jenn Kewageshig (L) explains the project

Under the direction of Master dry-stone waller Dean McLellan, only one of four in North America, men of Saugeen First Nation have been learning the craft of dry-stone walling, an ancient building and art form brought from England.

The ongoing project is the restoration of the historic amphitheatre site at Saugeen First Nation outside of Southampton (Saugeen Shores).  According to McLellan, the project is anticipated to take several years to complete but will eventually be a unique historic world-class site in North America.

  Amphitheatre seating – for larger view, Click                                        on Image
      Southampton resident Mary McCallum listens as project lead, Dean McLellan explains                                                                           the new building

Friday’s ‘Under the Tent’ event was a chance to see what will be an event building complete with in-floor heating and a wood burning fireplace.  McLellan said that the building will host events such as weddings and will also be a place for local skaters to warm up from the planned outdoor skating rink.  The interior will also feature a timber roof with an outdoor overhang.

McLellan said that he anticipates the building will be complete this spring and then the wallers will move on to another part of the amphitheatre wall.  “Unfortunately, we only have funding to last until July at which point we’ll be done unless more funding is made available.  This is only the fourth or fifth building like it in Ontario as they just don’t get built anymore.”

In July, there will also be a second re-certification day where workers will be certified as dry-stone wallers by two master craftsmen who are coming from the UK to do the testing.  “There is also a third tester coming and he’s the youngest Master Craftsman in the UK.”

Fortunately, the men who are now trained in the building style are working on projects off-reserve and have employment for the next year.  “There are currently eight men working on the site,” says McLellan, “and two have been here since the beginning of the project, Henry Mandawoub and Ron Ritchie.”

Former Saugeen Shores Councillor Duncan McCallum said that plans have also been discussed to create a dry-stone wall at what is known as ‘Scubby’s Point’ on the north side of the Saugeen River overlooking Southampton Harbour.  “We would like to see a half-wall and parkette created at the historic site so that people can sit and enjoy the harbour view.”

For more background on the dry-stone walling project, CLICK HERE.