Metis Nation marks anniversary

People from across the Metis Nation gathered in northern Saskatchewan at the beginning of July to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first granting of scrip to Metis people in the area.
Beginning in 1906, scrip certificates were issued by the Crown to the Metis people of northwestern Saskatchewan, entitling each bearer to 240 acres of Crown land or $240 to be used to purchase land. The certificates were designed to provide a land base for Metis people, who didn't fall under the treaties being negotiated with First Nations in the area.
The centenary was marked with speeches, entertainment, a cake and a parade, as well as dramatic presentations, a re-enactment of the historic signing of scrip, a 30-mile marathon, fireworks and a traditional meal. A number of Metis women from the community also received awards during the celebrations in recognition of their efforts to help build family and community.
One of the reasons it's important to celebrate the 100th year since scrip was first distributed to Metis people in northwest Saskatchewan is to ensure future generations understands the importance of that milestone, explained Ray Laliberte, treasurer of the Metis Nation-Saskatchewan.
"What's significant about our centenary is the deal we signed with Canada. And that's what makes it significant for the Metis," he said. "We signed documents called money scrip and land scrip. And we had to mark that relationship with Canada because it's something we cherish, because we have a bilateral relationship with the Crown and we want to let our children know that."
While the anniversary was a time for celebration, it was also a time to reflect on the darker side of the scrip system that saw many Metis people cheated out of their scrip certificates through fraudulent means.
"I think we only retained about maybe three per cent in the Metis community and all the 97 per cent or so of those scrip now belong to someone else outside of the Metis community. So that was the story we tried to reflect," Ray Laliberte said.