Métis Heritage and Culture Shine Bright During Métis Week

Métis Week celebrates Métis history and culture through events nationwide. The Métis flag's infinity symbol signifies the enduring existence of the Métis people. This year, Métis Sash Day, which honors Métis leader Louis Riel, featured traditional music and dance at Lethbridge College, highlighting the blend of Indigenous and European heritage.

Métis Heritage and Culture Celebrated during Métis Week

Métis Week, an annual celebration of Métis history and culture, concluded recently, leaving the community with numerous reasons to commemorate their identity. On Thursday, Lethbridge College honored Métis Sash Day with an event showcasing Métis culture. Attendees experienced traditions like fiddle music and jig dancing, which blend Indigenous and European practices.

Brittany Lee, an organizer of the event, emphasized its significance in creating a welcoming space for individuals to explore their culture. The Métis Nation of Alberta boasts over 60,000 registered citizens, and in the last Alberta census, more than 120,000 people identified as Métis.

Bryon Anderson, a speaker at the event, shared his personal journey of reconnecting with his Métis heritage. His grandfather, who concealed his true identity as Métis, had a profound impact on Anderson's understanding of the importance of embracing one's roots.

Elder Alice Bissonnette highlighted the historical suppression of Métis identity, particularly due to the trauma of residential schools and the stigma associated with being Indigenous. However, she expressed optimism that events like Métis Sash Day provide an opportunity to heal and rebuild cultural connections.

Anderson emphasized that reconnection with Métis culture can take various forms, such as wearing traditional sashes or engaging in music and dance. Alison Marchbank, who has been rediscovering her Métis heritage, emphasized the transformative power of community in her journey.

"To me, it is a loss of culture, a loss of language, a loss of family and also loss of trauma … sometimes you don't know what has happened to you and your family heritage," Marchbank said. "But I am very, very proud to be an Indigenous person. I'm very proud to be Métis."

Métis Week also marked significant milestones in Métis history. The past year witnessed the ratification of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government constitution, recognizing Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario, and Saskatchewan. This historic step advanced Indigenous self-governance and sparked renewed interest in Métis culture.

Jason Chernow, an elected representative under the new Métis government, highlighted the importance of this moment. "This is the first time we've ever had our own constitution. Our election this September was the first time we've had an election under our own constitution," Chernow said. "And this is what our leaders have been fighting for ever since Louis Riel formed the first provisional government."

The Otipemisiwak Métis Government's expanded structure, with 22 districts and 25 elected representatives, ensures more inclusive representation. Chernow expressed enthusiasm for the resurgence of Métis culture, stating, "To see the room that we have here today full of our seniors, our young children and everybody in between, it's a great thing … we're rebuilding and rediscovering who we've always been."

Métis Week celebrated the rich heritage and culture of the Métis people, providing an opportunity for community, reflection, and empowerment. The events showcased the diversity and vitality of Métis traditions, while also marking significant milestones in the pursuit of self-governance and cultural revitalization.