City of Calgary Proclaims Métis Week

Starting from Fort Calgary, a group of Métis citizens and political leaders led a Red River cart procession to City Hall, where the Métis flag was raised in honor of the history, and present day contributions of Métis citizens to Calgary. Following the procession, amid a large crowd of Métis, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal supporters, Alderman Rick McIver proclaimed Métis Week, spanning Nov. 13 to 19, for the city of Calgary.

The Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) has a long history. Since its inception in 1928, it has existed to advocate on behalf of, and meet the needs and aspirations of, Métis people in Alberta. The Métis Nation of Alberta also provides Métis people with an avenue to participate in government's policy and decision making process and, most importantly; promotes and facilitates the advancement of Métis people through the pursuit of self-reliance, self-determination and self-management.

In his proclamation, Alderman McIver recognized the Métis people as both the "Children of the Fur Trade", as well as an integral part of the today's social fabric in Calgary. In the early 1700's, the Métis emerged as a people with their own culture, language and social practice ? separate from both their European patrilineage and the First Nations matrilineage. Most early Métis worked in the fur trade. Some were also independent farmers, hunters or fisher people and because of this fact, adopted an important role as fur trade facilitators and agents of the fur trading companies' interests. Métis people played perhaps the most important role in the fur trade because they were the human links between First Nations and Europeans.

As a Nation, over the past 10 years there has been a steady rise in the number of Métis people in the Province who have registered as members of the MNA, with membership growing by almost 300%. Métis citizens of Region Three- which includes Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat and Red Deer ? participate in a broad spectrum of social, economic and political pursuits which contribute to the evolution and development of Métis citizens, as well as the larger development of Calgary as a whole including; Apeetogosan Development Inc., Métis Urban Housing Corporation of Alberta and the Aboriginal Human Resource Development Agreement ? Labour Market Unit.
In her speech, Region Three President Marlene Lanz reminisced of a time when the Métis people were known as the "Forgotten People".

Historically, there has been a flawed understanding of who the Métis were, and are. In order to understand who the Métis are, it is necessary to understand the unique social, political and geographical factors that have influenced the creation of the Métis as a distinct Nation. Known as "Otipemisiwak", "The free people", or "Those who own themselves", the Métis have always cultivated a strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit.

Just prior to his death, Louis Riel, Métis Leader - was quoted as saying, "My people will sleep for one hundred years; when they awake, it will be the artists who give them their spirit back." Métis week contributes to the ongoing recognition of the spirit of Métis people living in Calgary ? as significant contributors to the ensuring that Calgary is seen by all, as great place to live.