Métis Week in Alberta

 This is Métis Week in Alberta.

From The Canadian Encyclopedia https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/metis-settlements

Métis communities are found in many provinces and territories in Canada; however, the only legislated Métis land base is in Alberta. Eight Métis settlements are located across the northern and central-eastern part of the province: Paddle Prairie, Peavine, Gift Lake, East Prairie, Buffalo Lake, Kikino, Elizabeth and Fishing Lake. As of 2021, the settlements cover 1.25 million acres of land and are home to approximately 4,238 people. That year, 3,540 people reported that they were registered members of Métis Settlements in Alberta. The Métis Settlements are self-governing and provide for the protection of Métis culture and identity.

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From The Government of Alberta https://www.alberta.ca/annual-metis-week-celebrations 

Métis Week is held annually in November to honour the legacy of the Métis people and commemorate the life of Louis Riel, a prominent Métis leader, politician and advocate for the rights of Métis and francophone communities in Canada.

Métis Week brings into focus the rich culture, history and contributions of Métis people in Alberta and across Canada. It is observed annually during the week that includes Louis Riel Day on November 16.

Symbols of Métis Culture

From Otipemisiwak Métis Government http://albertametis.com/culture/symbols-of-culture/ 

Métis Sash

The Métis sash is a colourful finger-woven belt that is usually three-meters long. It is sometimes referred to as L’Assomption sash or Ceinture Fléchée (arrow sash).

The sash was used by the Voyageurs of the fur trade and was quickly adopted by their Métis sons. They used the sash as a belt to hold coats closed, and also as a towrope, tumpline, towel, and even a sewing kit.

The Métis sash became the most recognizable part of the Métis dress and a symbol of the Métis people. Today, the sash continues to be an integral part of Métis culture and heritage.

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Red River Cart

According to the journal of North West Company fur-trader Alexander Henry (the younger), the carts made their first appearance in 1801 at Fort Pembina, just south of what is now the United States border.

Originally, small horse-drawn carts had three-foot solid wheels cut from large trees and carried up to 450 pounds. Later, larger wheels with four spokes were used, and gradually the red river carts with their huge spoke wheels evolved, carrying nearly twice as much. Sometimes, wheels were wrapped in shaganappi (green rawhide).

Each wheel was said to have its own shriek, announcing the coming of a traveller from a great distance (grease or oil would have only mixed with the dust and wore down the axles).

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Métis Flag

The flag of the Métis is the oldest Canadian patriotic flag indigenous to Canada, pre-dating the Canadian flag by over 150 years. It was presented by Alexander MacDonnell of the North West Company and was first used in 1815.

Cuthbert Grant later flew the flag in 1816 during la Victoire de la Genouillère—a battle marking the boiling point of years of conflict between the North West Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. La Victoire de la Genouillère was one of the first times the Métis asserted themselves as a distinct nation of people with rights to trade and travel freely on their own land.

The flag symbolizes the creation of a new society, and the infinity symbol suggests that Métis people will exist forever. 

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The Métis Language

Michif is the language spoken by the Métis, who are the descendants of French fur traders and First Nations women, dating back to days of the Red River Settlement in Manitoba.

The Michif language is a combination of French nouns and Cree verbs and is spoken by Métis in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, and in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories. Depending on the region, the language spoken may be Michif-Anishnaabe or Michif-Cree. The highest numbers of Michif speakers are found in the Prairies. Many Métis people also speak Cree, which is more widely spoken than Michif.

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Learning Commons

Come up to the Learning Commons and borrow a book from our Métis Week display!