Metis in Alberta celebrate association's 75th year

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During the annual general assembly of the Metis Nation of Alberta held Aug. 20 to 25, participants celebrated the organization's diamond jubilee with the Metis Nation Legacy Gala Banquet and Dance.

The gala, held on the evening of Aug. 23, included dinner, speeches, award ceremonies, and a host of entertainment.

Lt.-Gov. Lois Hole and Pearl Calahasen, Alberta's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, were in attendance.

"It is great to be among you this evening with everyone celebrating this event. It is nice to see everyone enjoying themselves," said Hole.

Calahasen thanked all the past presidents and vice-presidents of the nation for their hard work and commitment over the years.

"There was a lot of wishing and there was a lot of hard work and hard work got us to this point and a willingness to improve the lives of Metis people in this province," said Calahasen, who is a long-standing member of the Metis Nation of Alberta. "So congratulations to those individuals that brought us up to this level. It takes a selfless attitude, a caring attitude, and it takes leaders to be where we are today."

She said that if there was one thing of which she is certain about being Metis, it is that "we are not afraid of hard work and the Metis Nation has been blessed with people who are achievers, who have heart and who have soul. The Metis people have inherited a strong, independent spirit from generations of Metis people before them, and we are not afraid to make and take tough decisions to get us to where we need to be."

She said that the Metis people have a special place in Alberta.

"We have to look at this vision to guide us into our future. We had to learn how to adapt to make the best of every situation and that is why it is so important that we continue to work on the Metis leaders' view. We will ensure that the Metis land will be enshrined in the Canadian Constitution. We have to get there and we have to move in that direction. The Metis people in Alberta are the only Metis across Canada with a land base, and we want to build on that and not take away from it. So congratulations to 75 years, and going strong. I know that some of us will see 100 years and I hope that I will be there to see our successes."

Audrey Poitras, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, said it was exciting to see the large number of people that came out to celebrate.

"After 75 years we are still strong and we are still moving forward, and that is exciting because a few years back we could not get 100 people in a room. So I'm really quite excited about what I'm seeing here this evening. Hopefully, in the next 25 years, we will still see the Metis people just as strong and just as committed to the Metis nation," she said.

Audrey Poitras said Metis understand that progress wouldn't be made without a collective voice. "While we gather here this evening, let us take time to reflect on the sacrifices made and the struggles endured by men like J.F. Dion, Jim Brady, Malcolm Norris, Pete Tomkins, and Felix Calihoo, that ensured our existence and well-being as a Metis Nation," Poitras said. "And there are many of you here this evening that can identify at least one other individual in your communities who has participated in the building of our nation throughout the past 75 years."