The president of the New Southern Plaines Métis Local 160 is excited that October has been proclaimed Month of the Métis in Saskatchewan.
“It’s good to have a month for the Métis because it seems like we have a month for just about everybody now,” chuckled LaVerne Trudel. “It’s good to have a month where people can discuss the Métis culture and Métis history because there was a lot of culture and history back then when they first started out in Canada.”
However, when the Métis moved west, the federal government gave them a rough time since the government said the land upon which they settled was not for them, he continued. The people then lived on road allowances since they had nowhere to go.
There is plenty of Métis history that people don’t know about, Trudel remarked. While the federal government gave Aboriginals land and treaty rights, the Métis did not receive those same privileges.
This October happens to mark the 175th anniversary of the birth of Louis Riel, who helped found Manitoba. There are several activities to recognize this month, according to the provincial government, such as:
- Government House in Regina will feature an art exhibit by Métis artist Leah Marie Dorion from Oct. 1 to Nov. 10;
- Government House will display a rare Hudson’s Bay Company 1870 promissory note, issued at Fort Garry (now Winnipeg) during the Red River Rebellion and on loan from the Regina Coin Club. A Métis Scrip will also be on display. This was offered to families to compensate them for the loss of their property titles;
- Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty will host a presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 15 featuring guest speaker Jean Teillet, the great-grandniece of Riel;
- On Oct. 22, Government House will offer Regina students the opportunity to learn more about Métis heritage.
The New Southern Plaines Métis Local 160 is not holding any events to acknowledge the month, Trudel said. However, it is running a seven-month program to help Métis people reclaim their health. A nurse has been hired to inform people whether they are close to being diabetic and help them eliminate those poor health conditions.
The non-profit organization has been active in the community since it reformed three years ago, explained Trudel.
It has taken part in Tourism Moose Jaw activities and in Canada Day festivities; it participated in Buffalo Day this past August in Tatawaw Park; it works with the Western Development Museum during Heritage Day; and it helps raise the Métis flag at Saskatchewan Polytechnic during Riel Day.
“We (also) work very closely with police Chief Rick Bourassa (because) we want to get our youth back down on the right road,” Trudel continued. Métis people — and Aboriginal people in general — tend to shy away from police and RCMP. This is why the group works with the RCMP as well.
There are about 1,200 Métis people living in Moose Jaw according to the latest census, said Trudel. He believes there could actually be more — closer to 1,500 people — since not everyone knows they have Métis background.
Furthermore, there are about 80,000 Métis people living in Saskatchewan. But again, Trudel noted not everyone knows they are of that background since their grandparents never participated in such cultural activities.
The New Southern Plaines Métis Local 160 is having its annual general meeting on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. at its office on the second floor of the Hammond Building.
Elections for group officers take place on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The positions of president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary will be open.
After three years as president, Trudel does not intend to run again since he believes he has given to the community as much as possible.
For more information call 306-692-8889.
