City hall flag raising helps kick off Métis Week celebration
THERE’S ABOUT 5,000 MÉTIS IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA
Members of the local Métis community came together with friends and allies on Tuesday to raise the Métis flag at city hall and to celebrate Métis Week in Alberta.
Métis Week runs Monday through Saturday. It is a time when Métis communities celebrate their culture and commemorate the Nov. 16, 1885 execution by hanging of Métis leader Louis Riel for treason resulting from his struggle to protect Métis people and interests from the government of the day.
Elder Louise Saloff said the Métis Nation of Alberta Association welcomes the entire community to celebrate Métis heritage in part because Métis have a blended European and First Nations heritage.
“We have adopted some of the traditions and cultures of both,” she said. “You will see a blend of our own unique, distinct nation.”
“You don’t have to be Métis to come to our events,” she added. “We welcome all cultures to come and be with us and socialize with us.”
Saloff said there are likely around 5,000 Métis in southern Alberta, and work is ongoing to identify and register more people who share that heritage.
Tuesday morning’s event included the flag raising, a retelling of the Métis history in French and English, Blackfoot and Métis dancing, and presentations for this year’s Order of the Sash winners.
“The Order of the Sash is very similar to what a Governor General Award would be in Alberta,” said Saloff. “Any community member which has done a significant contribution to the Métis in our community, supported us, worked with us, or assisted us (is eligible).”
This year, sashes were awarded to Jacinda Weiss, Amanda Scout, Max Gibb, Rose Rossi, Greg Schmidt, and Ann Becker.
“The six of them have just gone above and beyond in helping us to do what we need to do, build up, move forward, and reach out to our people,” said Saloff.
Amanda Scout, community engagement and partnerships co-ordinator for Native Counselling Services Alberta, said she was honoured to be recognized for her work in the Metis community.
“I’ve worked within the aboriginal community for the past 12 years or so,” she said. “I’m really honoured.”
Scout works to build partnerships and addressing goals in the community.
Jacinda Weiss, program specialist for the FNMI Student Services at the University of Lethbridge, said local Blackfoot communities have been especially welcoming of Métis people.
“We have such a strong Blackfoot presence in Lethbridge,” she said. “And they’ve been so welcoming of our Métis people and what they do. That relationship has grown.
“I think our job is really about how we can make (Métis people) feel better and be more inclusive, as a distinct people.”
Anyone who believes they may be of Métis heritage is asked to call 403-328-8952 to take part in the identification process.
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