Celebration of Metis culture planned

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Metis tradition and culture will be celebrated in grand style this summer during "Back to Batoche 2000, A National Festival in Celebration of Metis Culture" being held in Batoche July 24 to 30.

This year's event will feature an arts and cultural festival, sports and recreational games and children's and youth programming.

The event will showcase Metis arts and artists working in a variety of media, including writing, theatre, visual arts, film and video, music and dance.

Some of the highlights of this year's event include the staging of Gabriel at the Crossing, a Metis musical blending traditional and contemporary Metis dance, music and stories, a showcase of Metis fiddlers, and performances by contemporary performers.

The celebrations will also feature traditional dance demonstrations, performances and competitions, and an arts lecture series presenting a retrospective of Metis art and artists.

The works of Metis painters, sculptors and photographers will be showcased in an art show, and a mini-festival will be held featuring the works of Metis film and video artists.

Metis history and tradition will also be celebrated on the sporting front with the Voyageur Games, involving individuals and teams events including hatchet throwing, archery, sling shot, voyageur run, horseback riding and log carrying competitions.

A number of ball tournaments will also be held, with participants competing in girls' softball, boys' softball, co-ed slow pitch and men's fastball categories. Also on the agenda is a rodeo and wagon racing. A running relay is also being planned as part of Back to Batoche 2000, with participants retracing the historic trail from Fish Creek to Batoche.

Children's and youth programming will also be offered as part of the week-long event.

For more information, visit the Back to Batoche 2000 website at www.backtobatoche.com, or call 1-800-343-6667.