Metis Week begins at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village

Youth Coordinator Donna Bruder
Toni Lucas photos

Toni Lucas

Pincher Creek celebrated Metis Week with a flag raising ceremony held at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village on November 15, 2012.  Regional Secretary and President of Metis Nation of Alberta Chinook Local 1880 Karen Gamache, Vice President Kim LeBlanc, Local Elder Frances Riviere, and Youth Coordinator Donna Bruder greeted those that came to learn more, and mark the day.

Flag Raising Ceremony

Cst. Perrin and Kim LeBlanc

Constable Dean Perrin of Piikani Nation Detachment was there and helped with the flag raising.  Interested members of the public joined St. Michael's French Immersion students from grades 3 to 5 that came to the ceremony with their teachers and St. Michael's First Nation, Metis and Inuit Support Worker Natasha North Peigan.

St. Michael's students watching the Metis flag being raised

Karen Gamache held a question and answer period with the students in attendance.  The children asked about what the Metis ate, where they lived, and what they did for a living and for fun.  Speeches by museum staff Farley Wuth and I (Toni Lucas) explained more of the Metis heritage.  I was presented with a Metis sash in appreciation for the work I have done for the Metis community.

Students learning to play the spoons

Donna Bruder gave the students the chance to learn how to play the spoons as a musical instrument, and to play with an old fashioned Metis toy called a 'chibadum'.  A chibadum is traditionally made of wood and is an articulated jigging man-puppet on a stick.

A spoon-playing circle

Refreshments were served and Metis representatives were on hand to answer questions.

Red river cart and chibadum toy.

Pincher Creek Mayor Ernie Olsen was present and expressed his delight that the children were learning real Canadian history.

A Louis Riel themed Co-op confection

Badge

Metis Week marks the anniversary of the death of Louis Riel, a leader in the Metis community in the 1800s.  In 1884, Louis Riel was asked to negotiate for the  Saskatchewan Métis as he had done at Red River.  Riel saw opportunity to create a Métis homeland, but Canada sent soldiers instead of negotiators.  Metis resistance was defeated at Batoche in May 1885.  Riel was found guilty of high treason and hanged in Regina. Riel's life ended November 16, 1885. Riel is widely regarded as the Father of Manitoba today.

Metis flag

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