Often celebrated when recognizing Canadian culture are our Eurocentric roots of hardy, steadfast pioneers who trail blazed all the way across a vast, often hostile environment with simple technologies.
However, there is far more to Canada's rich and diverse multicultural mosaic. Yet other aspects that contribute to our collective sense of nationality do not always seem to get as much attention.
With hopes of raising awareness about the role Métis people played in the community's history, local organizers held an inaugural event in November at the Sundre Pioneer Museum, showcasing a peek at a culture that emerged hundreds of years ago as a result of relationships forged between First Nations and settlers during the French and English fur trade.
“When you plan something, you don't know how it's going to appeal to everybody, but the feedback was really great,” said Cherie Johnson, Greenwood Neighbourhood Place family and youth coordinator.
“I would say it was a success for sure.”
Although organizers had hoped for an attendance of about 75 people, that goal was surpassed with an estimated 130 individuals of all ages coming to check out at least some parts of the free event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 20.
Dubbed Métis Fiddlin' Around Fun Day, the function featured performances by 16-year-old fiddler Brianna Lizotte from Sylvan Lake, as well as traditional dance by Pam Piche Lashmore, from Water Valley, who also facilitated the event. Those who attended also had an opportunity to sample some traditional Métis food such as bannock bread and stew, while children who were so inclined were able to take part in a variety of arts and crafts.
Hosting the event at the museum, which partnered to make it all possible, was simply the logical choice. After all, the facility features numerous Métis artifacts including examples of traditional clothing, said Johnson.
“The primary goal was to really celebrate all cultures in Sundre and to give an opportunity for Métis people in Sundre to come together and really show their culture to the community,” she told the Round Up.
Tami Parkinson, the museum's manager, said plenty of fascinating information was presented during the event, and she also praised Piche Lashmore's role in organizing it.
“She loves educating people about the Métis culture,” said Parkinson.
Sundre's cultural roots include a rich tapestry of Métis families, Piche Lashmore told the Round Up, adding the museum features information on that history.
“There were quite a few Métis families that lived in Sundre,” she said.
Among the crowd of 130 people who attended were also several individuals with Métis roots who were keen to stay for the duration to watch the dancing, hear the music and history as well as sample the traditional food, she said.
“The elders really enjoyed it,” she said, adding the event was a great opportunity to engage and reconnect with their roots.
Many others who attended confessed knowing very little about the culture and its history, let alone the trials and tribulations the Métis people endured over the centuries, she said.
“It's its own distinct culture — we speak our own language. It's very important to me that I speak about my culture because so many people don't know about it.”
Progress towards officially recognizing the Métis as full status Indians under the constitution has not moved fast. But the federal government finally announced last April that the Métis would be included with First Nations and Inuit peoples to sit at a collective table with the government to have greater autonomy in determining their future, said Doreen Bergum, a Métis elder who was unable to be in Sundre as she had a prior engagement for another function in Calgary. She expressed an appreciation and desire to recognize the struggle Métis ancestors went through over the centuries to reach this point.
“We can finally be Métis citizens in our own Canada,” said Bergum, who was born in Olds and also raised in Sundre.
Looking ahead to 2017, Johnson said organizers were still deciding whether to again plan the event in conjunction with Métis Week in November or perhaps instead during Alberta Culture Days in late September.
“Either way, something will happen next year,” she said.
