The first ever Métis Winter Festival is taking place at Airdrie's Nose Creek Regional Park on Saturday, March 22.
Jointly held by the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, the Métis district councils of Rocky View, Nose Hill, and Elbow, along with the City of Airdrie, the event will be a family-oriented celebration to share Métis culture with the community.
It will feature musical performances from renowned Métis Fiddler Alex Kusturok and cultural programs led by Elders and historians.
Along with five other Métis Districts, Rocky View Métis District is located in Battle River Territory of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta. In November 2022, Métis Citizens ratified a constitution to establish the government, holding their first election in September 2023.
District Captain Amber Boyd has served in her position since that election, and explained that inaugural festival stemmed from extra room in the budget and a desire to share Métis culture.
"Our people would celebrate the winter months. There were no buffalo hunts and that's when marriages would happen. We're excited to bring it to the public," Boyd explained. "There's people saying that they're coming from as far as Lloydminster and Edmonton. So, I'm hearing it will be well-attended."
The Métis people emerged in the during the late-18th century as the mixed offspring of First Nations and European fur traders. They developed distinct communities, cultures, traditions, and a unique way of life, leading to the emergence of the Métis Nation - a group recognized in the Constitution Act of 1982 as one of the three Aboriginal peoples in Canada, alongside First Nations and Inuit.
"Our traditions stem from our own language and cultural practises that have developed over time," Boyd explained.
One such tradition that will be on display is jigging - a type of dance originating in the Red River area that sees a combination of First Nations dancing and Scottish and French-Canadian step-dancing.
"Jigging initially had someone playing the spoons, maybe someone on drums, another playing the fiddle," Boyd explained. "The music is what is called 'Crooked Tunes,' so there's an extra beat that we throw in there. That means jigging has an extra step too, so that makes it really fast and fun to watch."
Boyd said there will be several demonstrations, including Michif, the official language of the Métis Nation, and a showcase of sashes.
"We'll explain why we still wear sashes and what the colours represent," she said.
On display will be historical Métis dwellings known as Trapper's Tents as well as inventions like the Red River Cart, designed to haul furs across land and rivers.
Of course, cultural cuisine will also be a big part of the celebration. Boyd said they'll be serving stew, traditionally prepared with game meats and seasonally available vegetables, as well as a popular quick bread known as Bannock.
"There are a lot of different ways to make and cook Bannock," she said. "It will be pre-made and kids will be able to cook it over fire pits."
There's already plans to make the Métis Winter Festival an annual occurrence, though Boyd said the event would preferably happen earlier in the season to emphasize events like skating.
People are encouraged to still bring their own skates, but the activity will be subject to weather.
"We wanted to hold it a couple weeks prior, but it's the way things worked out," she noted. "Nice weather will likely bring out more people, but we're Métis, we understand it can be cold. We're prepared for it."
The event will happen between 12 and 5 p.m. There is no fee or registration required. People can visit https://rockyviewmetis.org for more information on the Métis and the festival.
Boyd said she hopes the day will be an opportunity for people to see how the Métis culture is both similar and different to other Indigenous groups in North America.
"If you don't know anything about the Métis, you'll definitely leave having learned something," she assured.
