Local author examines Metis encounter with Mandela

Page 2

It was a moment for the ages when Metis Senator John B. Boucher tied a sash around the waist of visiting South African President Nelson Mandela on the morning of Sept. 24, 1998.

The man who spent more than 20 years as a political prisoner for his actions in opposition to the South African apartheid regime and who emerged from prison in the post-apartheid era to become the first black man to serve as his country's president, wore the sash proudly for the remainder of the day, much to the consternation of Canadian government officials.

Now, a cousin of the Metis senator is preparing to tell the story in great detail through a variety of media.

Bob Rock wrote, produced and directed The Missing Bell of Batoche, which earned him a national gold Canpro award for the teleplay in 1997. Rock is working furiously to get this latest story out to a world that is intrigued, if a bit confused, by the meaning of Senator Boucher's actions last September. In addition to a written manuscript, Rock is also putting together a CD-ROM version for the Saskatchewan Department of Education and he's working with a world-renowned animator to create an animated version which may eventually make its way into theatres or onto the television airwaves.

Rock's manuscript captures with great precision the passion of the Metis senator and the events of that autumn day in Ottawa. A mere 28 pages (or 16,000 words), it will be an emotional read for Metis people and an education for others who aren't familiar with Metis history.

The manuscript begins with the author and the senator sitting around the kitchen table in October, reflecting on the events of the previous summer. From there the reader is given a step-by-step look at Boucher's trip to Canada's capital city.

Senator Boucher was invited to Ottawa to represent his people at a ceremony which would honor a Canadian human rights pioneer, John Humphrey, who wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While spending the night before the ceremony at a government guest house, Boucher said he dreamed of the importance of the next day for his people.

"I dreamt that Nelson Mandela and I were having coffee in my St. Louis kitchen where I was telling him of the significance of the Metis sash that I had just wrapped around his waist," he told Rock. "Mr. Mandela sat there in rapt attention as I explained that the sash is 'an important outward expression of Metis ethnicity and material culture.' . . . In my dream, Mr. Mandela just grinned and nodded in approval as I rambled on about the significance of the Metis sash."

Boucher recounts in detail his meeting with Mandela. He was just supposed to present the sash to Mandela but he made up his mind to put it around his waist.

"So I had to go over my time allotment to perform this ceremony properly, the way it's supposed to be done. So I was introduced to him. I shook hands with him. He shook hands with me. And I said, 'I welcome you to Canada on behalf of the Metis National Senate, the Metis leaders and all the Metis people of Canada, as one Aboriginal people to another Aboriginal people.' And then I said, 'I have a presentation of a sash for you. The sash is given to special people as a symbol of honor, pride and respect. Along with this sash, it is my privilege and duty as the presenter of the sash to bestow upon you an honorary Metis name. So if you would allow me to put the sash around your waist, I will then present you with your honorary Metis name.'"

Mandela consented and then learned that his Metis name was "Diamant."

"Diamant means diamond in French. And the reason why I picked that name for you is because you come from Africa and when we think of Africa we think of diamonds. You have spread a very bright light, not only over your own country, but over all of the world as well. What better substance symbolizes the reflection of light and spirit than diamond? So your Metis name will be Diamant."

Mandela wore the sash when he addressed Parliament latr that day and still had it around his waist when he was inducted into the Order of Canada. For Metis people, who have struggled long and hard for proper recognition from the federal government, it was a moment of delicious irony.

Senator Boucher says he and the other Aboriginal leaders were intentionally isolated from the press during the day, invited to participate but carefully managed to avoid any chance of embarrassing the government. The Metis leader also noted that he was not invited to the state dinner that evening, something he believes was meant as a punishment for putting the sash around Mandela's waist.

"Was it the federal government's way of getting back at me and the Metis Nation for upstaging Mandela's Order of Canada presentation?" he asks in the book.

But all in all, the day was a gratifying moment for Boucher.

"From that moment onward, I felt as if my life had been completed," he said. "The accomplishments and awards and honors that I have earned and been presented with prior to this point in my life, all combined together, don't even come close to the sense of achievement that I experienced that day in Ottawa."

Rock sent Sage a copy of the first draft of his book for review. We are still not certain when the book will be available for sale.