The sounds of Metis dance and music will resound over Innisfail's Centennial Park for the first time in 120 years on August 16 for the for the inaugural Metis Family Gathering.
The sounds of Metis dance and music will resound over Innisfail's Centennial Park for the first time in 120 years on August 16 for the for the inaugural Metis Family Gathering.
"We will be hosting Beverly Lambert, an award winning Metis jigger," said Diane Mineault, event co-organizer. "Lambert is active in promoting the Metis way of life across Canada."
Lambert is looking forward to coming to Innisfail and bringing the "Metis home".
"My heart is where the Metis are," said Lambert. "I bring my stage show of traditional jigging, and my own creations such as the Medicine Wheel Jig, which is about the cycle of life from birth to death. With my tent show, there are smudges, traditional Metis games, and always a hands-on presentation."
The Metis storyteller was part of Calgary's July 1st celebrations where she had every nationality dress up as Metis.
"That will be part of the tent exhibit as well," added Lambert.
Summer Sage, aka Laura Langstaff and Melissa Hall, a Saskatchewan, Batoche area born singer/song- writer/author duo, will perform original contemporary Métis folk music from their albums - Summer Sage, Medicine Winds, and Moitie, Moite. Summer Sage is a concept created by Langstaff in 1997 to reflect the inherent gifts of mature aboriginal women in the arts to an industry focused on youth. Since its inception the group has gone on to perform at Carnegie Hall, and other prestigious venues.
Innisfail resident Kay Dahl is also a co-organizer of the Metis Family Gathering.
"My family has been in the area since the 1880s when my great grandfather took care of the horses who raced around the Dodd's Lake area when it was a dry bed," said Dahl. "Louis St Denis was killed in the late 1890s while racing and his stable was located in the area where the present Innisfail Historical Village is today. My Cree great-grandmother was scalped in the Innisfail area by Blackfoot Indians in the 1880s while taking children to what is now Napoleon Lake. She wore a bandana the rest of her life."
She added the gathering will recognize the Metis community in Innisfail and establish a basis for Metis history in the immediate region.
"We know there is a large Metis population in the area, and want to reach out to the families to celebrate our heritage and culture," added Dahl.
In addition to musical entertainment, officials from the Rupertsland Institute - the Metis Centre of Excellence - will be attendance.
"Rupertsland will be on hand to offer educational and training information to Metis who attend the gathering," said Mineault. "Rupertsland is a strong force in Metis education, research and professional development, and training/employment. They will also be supplying food to Metis who come to celebrate."
The event will be free of charge to the public and run from 9 a.m. to sunset. Attendees should bring their own food and prepare to stay for the day.
Information on the Innisfail and Area Metis Cultural Gathering can be found by calling Dahl at 403-227-3433 or on their Facebook page.
