Metis Cultural element questioned

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BATOCHE - By 1987, The Back to Batoche Days, might experience some modifications if some of the perennial attenders like Maria Campbell of Batoche and Rose Boyer of Saskatoon have their way.

Both of these women contend that the cultural activists at Batoche do not do justice to portraying the true heritage of the Metis. "What's cultural about baseball?" asks Boyer who is somewhat perturbed that it receives so much attention.

Campbell has expressed concern and interest in the arts - storytelling, songs, workshops and the like. Her view is that the culture of any people is perpetuated through the arts which includes literature. "Our people need books about our culture and history," she says.

Boyer has, likewise, voiced her interest to seeing some of the more traditional elements of Metis culture incorporated. In reference to the physical or material culture, she would like to have events such as trap setting and flour packing included.

Campbell and Boyer were but two of the individuals who, at the annual assembly, chased after and succeeded in having the planning and decision-making processes for the, Back to Batoche Days, put back into the hands of the people. They are proud of that accomplishment and appear most resolute in their plan to build a bigger and better celebration with meaning in the succeeding years that lie ahead.

In commenting on the change, Tim Low and Joan Beattie, who co-ordinated much of this year's program, welcomed the shift and expressed their delight as this would lessen their workload.

Campbell and Boyer, however, were quick to point out that their participation would be in an advisory capacity as a committee that would forward its concerns and wishes to the staff who would still be required to perform their duties as usual.

"What we wanted," explained Campbell, "was to have a say, to be a part of the decision-making process in determining what activities are to take place for the Batoche Days." The people must be a part of that process she told "Windspeaker." There have been too many political types who have been making all the decisions without consideration for the people's perspectives.

Campbell and Boyer will undoubtedly form part of the planing committee for the 1987s Batoche celebrations. They look forward to the challenge and derive a lot of satisfaction from the fact that the cultural component will now be where they feel it belongs, in the hands of the people.