City acknowledges contributions of Metis

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On Sept. 29, in the glow of the early morning sunrise, Red River Carts were unloaded, horses were hitched up and a trapper's tent was erected on the site that would later that day welcome upwards of 200 Metis for the official renaming of a stretch of 36 St. NE (north of McKnight Blvd) to Metis Trail. It was proclaimed by Mayor Dave Bronconnier as Elders, citizens and officials from the national, provincial and regional Metis offices bore witness.

"Historically, Metis Trail," said Bronconnier, "was part of a large network of supply routes used by Metis traders, families and entrepreneurs. Today, Metis Trail not only honors the contributions of the Metis people in the past, but will be used by Metis people, and all Calgarians alike, to continue trading to our sister cities to the north, to transport our families for social, recreational and family activities, and to promote business and development, integral to the ongoing development of Calgary."

Led by the Calgary Metis Youth Dancers, Metis National Council President Clem Chartier, Metis Nation of Alberta (MNA) President Audrey Poitras and MNA Vice-president Trevor Gladue joined Marlene Lanz, MNA regional president for Zone 3, and Joe Chodzicki, regional vice-president, in a 10-minute Red River trek at Rotary Park, honoring the history of the Metis people within Canada.

Historically, the Metis were intermediaries between European and First Nations peoples, working as guides and interpreters. In the area called Metis Trail, trade routes between Metis, First Nations and European communities ran from Tail Creek into the Calgary area, eventually heading down to Fort Benson.

In her speech, Poitras said the word Metis would soon become part of the social consciousness of Calgary, helping to create an awareness of the contributions of the Metis people to Calgary.

The decision to rename the expressway was not without controversy. In June, after receiving complaints from neighborhood residents, some city councillors wanted to put the name change on hold until more public consultation could be done. That sparked charges of racism from columnists in the local media. But, with the matter resolved and the name change honored, the uproar was set aside for the September celebration.