Maple sugar harvest part art, part science

Lee-Ann Ketchemonia says tapping a maple tree is part art, part science.

Ketchemonia is one of the finalists in a provincial science fair for First Nations students. Dozens of students from across Saskatchewan are competing atPrairielandPark in Saskatoonthis week.

• Budding scientists ready for Sask. First Nations science fair

The 13-year-old from the Keeseekoose First Nation created a project based on her family's tradition of collecting maple syrup. She studied temperature, pressure and other principles.

But there's more to it for First Nations people.

Before they begin, an offering is made to the tree.

"You'retaking something so you have to give back," she said."And then, after you givethe offering, you canstart by drilling a holeinto the tree."

Her family has been harvesting the sapof Manitobamaple trees for generations, so it was a natural choice for a science project, she said.

Her teacher and aunt, Mary-Ann Ketchemonia, organized the first regional science fair for the Yorkton Tribal Council earlier this year.

She saidthere are growing numbers of First Nations lawyers and teachers, but she wants Indigenous youth to consider a career in the sciences as well.

Mary-Annsaidshe's proud of how much her niecehas learned.

"She found out herself how many sciences were involved in the maple trees and the maple project. That was a surprise to all of us, actually."