Métis dance first time on the hill

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July 1 of this year marked the 131st birthday of Canada. As well it marked the first time in history that a Métis dance group ever performed on Parliament Hill for celebrations. Considering that Métis people are one of the original peoples of this country, the performance was long overdue.

The Edmonton Métis Cultural Dance Society, a non-profit organization, performed at the Canada Day noon show. More than 100,000 people attended the performance which included headliners Paul Gross and David Keeley.

"It was such a good feeling to see them come this far and to be there on Canada Day", said Georgina Donald, dance co-ordinator and a grandmother of several of the dancers. "For me it was one of the greatest performances ever done, just to be there and see them dance for so many people."

When Georgina was in her thirties, the retired employee of the Native Canadian Friendship Centre in Edmonton said she believed Métis culture, music and dance was dying out. Taking matters into her own hands, Georgina started Métis dancing at the friendship centre. Her dedication to Métis culture and dance is reflected in the Edmonton Métis Cultural Dance Society, which is the fourth generation of dancers since she started.

The performance on Parliament Hill was a milestone for the Métis people and it was not an easy one to achieve. Gerald Morin, president of the Métis National Council, and Senator Thelma Chalifoux pushed to have Métis representation on Canada Day.

Brent Potskin, a Métis dancer, said, "It was Sheila Copps, minister of Canadian Heritage, that supported the dance troupe. [But] without Gerald Morin and Thelma Chalifoux's persistence we would not have danced on Parliament Hill."

As well, Brent felt that the producers of the event wanted to see how professional the dance group was. The group rehearsed at the centre of the stage with the director many times. This was not done without Barachois, a group from Prince Edward Island, as their music was very similar to the traditional Métis music. When it came time for the dancers to perform, they were moved down to the ground.

"We had to show them how professional we were. They didn't realize how long we have been together," said Brent, "They don't know how long we have been promoting our culture. When they made that sudden change, I think we did a great job."

To the Edmonton Métis Cultural Dance Society, preservation of Métis culture is its driving force. As a child, Brent saw Métis culture fading away. At one point there was as many as 15 dance groups. That number stands at four at the present.

"We are trying to revive the traditional Métis dancing by promoting the culture."