2018 Beauvais Lake Metis Youth and Elder Gathering

Roxy Debroux - In Metis culture, both the youth and the elders are honored. Between July 3 and 6th, this honoring took place at the heart of Metis culture in the area, Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. Many gathered at the Homestead Group camp to interact with one another, teach, and learn.

Métis solstice climb of Mount Albert

Submitted - On June 21st, starting at 4 am, a group of 21 began the ascent up Mount Albert, the tallest peak in Beauvais Lake Provincial Park for the summer solstice. There were four members representing the Métis Nation and the many Métis who had settled on the land within and the surrounding areas of what is now the park. Remnants of their homesteads are still present.

U of L study to examine state of water security in Alberta Métis communities

Dr. Maura Hanrahan 

University of Lethbridge - For the vast majority of Canadians, the concept of not having readily available drinking water is literally foreign – something only developing countries have to face. Unfortunately, residents of rural and remote communities, many of which are indigenous, face the problem of trying to find potable water every day of their lives.

Local Metis Association receives $16,000 CIP grant

MLA Pat Stier, Rhonda Clemens, Roxanne Debroux, Gail McLenaghan, Frances Riviere, Ed Desjardins

Toni Lucas - The Metis Nation Local 1880 Association was recently awarded a $16,000 Government of Alberta Community Initiatives Program (CIP) Grant for their Circle of Balance Project. The cheque was presented by Livingstone Macleod MLA Pat Stier on Monday, November 14 at the Metis Association offices in the Provincial Building in Pincher Creek. "We are going to be using it as a mentoring program with our youth, and with our elders," said President Gail McLenaghan. The Association is hoping to expand awareness of the Metis culture, history and heritage, not only with those who have an ancestral link to this background, but also for people who have an interest in learning more about who the Metis are and how the culture was created and developed.

Meeses Doktor

Joyce Sasse

Joyce Sasse - Imagine having to instruct others how to deliver your child, a breech birth, because the winter came early and you, the doctor, couldn’t get to a hospital?  This is one of the stories told by Dr. Mary Percy Jackson in her biography “The Homemade Brass Plate” – a best read!

Mary graduated from medical school in England in 1928 and came to Northern Alberta to work for one year. Her work, the people and the countryside were so engrossing she stayed for forty years.

Introducing new Métis Local 1880 President Gail McLenaghan

Metis Nation Local 1880 President Gail McLenaghan

Josh Davis

On Thursday November 19 members of the community had the opportunity to speak with Métis Nation Local 1880’s newly elected President, Gail McLenaghan. McLenaghan spoke about her duties as Métis President, Métis Week, and the history of Louis Riel. On Monday there was a flag-raising at Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village at (1:00). McLenaghan is excited to be the new president, having helped start the Pincher Creek association over thirteen years ago.

Métis in the Mountains Asihâwak Festival a success

Ed Desjardins and his horse Fancy gave rides on a Red River Cart
Donna Bruder photos

Toni Lucas

The Métis in the Mountains Asihâwak Festival was held June 26-29, 2014 at the Castle River Rodeo Grounds. Organizer Roxanne Debroux was very excited to have this chance to share the Métis culture and music with people. "Some people are under the misconception, even though it was marked on the posters and in the media that it was open to the public, that some people didn't come because they thought that it was just still Métis. This was a sharing of cultures. Everybody's welcome. The Métis people are a blended people and they welcome everybody as family and so everybody is welcome."

Métis Music and Cultural Fest to be held July 11-14, 2013

The annual Métis Music and Cultural Fest will be held July 11-14, 2013 at The Great Canadian Barn Dance (Hillspring, Alberta). The event is open to everyone, including musicians and the general public.

The headlining act this year is Calvin Vollrath, a Canadian fiddler and composer and one of the best fiddlers in the world, who lives in Saint Paul, Alberta. He is also one of the few European-Canadian fiddle players playing professionally in the Métis style. Calvin is a musical prodigy who was twice crowned the Grand North American Old Tyme Fiddle Champion.

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.

Metis mark the death of Louis Riel with flag-raising ceremony at museum

Toni Lucas, Pincher Creek Voice

Shinaya Gamache raises
the Metis flag at KBPV
T. Lucas photo

A respectful crowd assembled to celebrate the raising of the Metis flag over the grounds of Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village in Pincher Creek on November 16, 2011.  They were gathered on the anniversary of the death of Louis Riel, who fought to have the offspring of European and Aboriginal parents recognized by the Canadian government. A prayer was said by Karen Gamache, President of the Metis Local 1880 Association, and then everyone went outside to watch Metis Youth Advisory Committee Leader Shinaya Gamache raise the flag, with the help of Vice President Kim LeBlanc of the local association.